The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has assured residents that anti-venom is fully stocked and readily accessible across all FCTA-owned hospitals and public health centres.
This assurance is coming few days after the death of singer and social media influencer, Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene, which triggered widespread anger and allegations of medical negligence.
The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, in a statement asked residents not panic, as the territory maintains adequate supplies of both polyvalent and multivalent antivenoms kept under strict quality control.
Fasawe said: “Different forms and types of anti-snake venom are widely available across FCTA-owned hospitals and public health facilities.
“Stocking decisions are guided by collaboration with veterinary doctors, who help identify the most common snake species (venom strains) in the FCT.
“Accordingly, polyvalent and multivalent antivenoms are maintained, centrally stored in FCTA owned Abuja Central Medical Stores, and directly managed by the Secretariat to ensure quality, cold-chain integrity, and availability”.
The Mandate Secretary’s assurance follows public outrage over the death of the young influencer, Ifunanya Nwangene, who was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi with many alleging that the facility had no antivenom to administer when she arrived for treatment.
However FMC Jabi, in its official explanation, dismissed the claims as unfounded, insisting the late Ifunanya was brought in long after the bite and was already exhibiting advanced neurotoxic symptoms.
According to the hospital, she presented with respiratory distress and neurological deterioration, conditions that significantly reduce the likelihood of survival even where antivenom is available.
The facility said its medical team initiated emergency protocols but the severity of her condition left little room for recovery.
Fasawe, while condoling with the family, said the death must serve as a turning point for emergency preparedness and public awareness.
She said: “The loss of a promising young life is deeply painful and distressing. I share in the family’s grief and reaffirm that such medically preventable deaths must be taken seriously, with strengthened measures to prevent recurrence”.
She described snakebites as a preventable public health emergency, warning that venomous species including cobras, vipers and puff adders, are present across the FCT’s expanding urban and peri-urban areas.
“Snakebites remain a largely preventable public health emergency. Snakes inhabit rainforests, grasslands, farms, and semi-arid areas, and often hide near human dwellings in search of food or shelter—leading to increased human-snake encounters.
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“In Nigeria, highly venomous species such as cobras, vipers, and puff adders are present. As a rule, all snakebites must be treated as venomous until proven otherwise”, she added.
She also issued a step-by-step advisory on what residents must do immediately after a bite.
“All FCT residents are urged to adopt primary prevention measures, including wearing protective clothing when in farms or tall grass, avoiding dark areas or using flashlights at night, clearing debris around homes, sealing entry points, and never handling snakes.
“In the event of a bite, immediate first aid includes staying calm, immobilising the affected limb below heart level, removing constrictive items, gently cleaning the wound, and proceeding immediately to a hospital with antivenom,” Fasawe added.
While advising that harmful practices such as cutting or sucking the wound, applying tourniquets, ice, or herbal remedies must be avoided, the Mandate Secretary stressed that timely presentation remains the single most critical factor for survival.
