Nigerian Senate urge Health Ministry, NAFDAC to enforce emergency drug availability nationwide
The Nigerian Senate has called for the mandatory stocking of snake antivenom and other life-saving antidotes in all public and private hospitals across the country following the death of an Abuja-based singer who reportedly died after suffering a snakebite.
The resolution was reached during plenary after the Nigerian Senate raised concerns over Nigeria’s poor emergency medical preparedness, particularly in handling snakebite cases and other sudden health emergencies. Senators described the incident as preventable and warned that similar deaths would persist unless urgent corrective measures are taken.
The Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to develop and enforce national guidelines that would compel hospitals to maintain minimum stocks of essential emergency drugs, including snake antivenom. Lawmakers also called for strict monitoring to ensure full compliance by both public and private health facilities.
In addition, the Senate directed the Ministry to collaborate with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ensure that antivenoms available in Nigeria are safe, effective, affordable and properly stored. According to lawmakers, the lack of genuine and readily available antivenom has significantly contributed to avoidable deaths.
The lawmakers further urged state governments and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to conduct immediate audits of hospitals to assess their emergency response capacity. They also proposed making the availability of essential antidotes a core requirement for hospital licensing and accreditation, especially for private healthcare providers.
The Senate also emphasized the need for regular training of healthcare workers on emergency response and the correct administration of antivenoms, while calling for increased public awareness on the importance of seeking prompt medical attention after snakebites.
The call followed the reported death of Abuja-based singer Ifunanya Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah, which sparked public outrage and renewed debate over the state of emergency healthcare services in Nigeria.
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