The Senate has urged urgent reforms to Nigeria’s emergency healthcare system following the death of Abuja-based singer Ifunanya Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah, after a snakebite and the reported lack of anti-venom in hospitals.
Due to rising cases of snakebites, poisoning, drug overdoses and other envenomation, the Senate called on the FCT Administration and state governments to establish coordinated emergency referral and response systems across public and private hospitals.
It also urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to develop and enforce national guidelines on minimum stock levels of essential antidotes, including antivenoms, nationwide.
The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who described Nanyah’s death as avoidable and reflective of serious gaps in emergency preparedness.
Recall that Nwangene reportedly sought treatment at two hospitals in Abuja but was allegedly left unattended due to the unavailability of anti-venom at both facilities.
The Senate further directed hospital audits, mandatory antidote stocking for licensing, nationwide public sensitisation on snakebite emergencies, and observed a minute of silence in Nanyah’s honour.
