Senate raises alarm over Snakebite deaths, seeks mandatory Anti-Venom in Hospitals

The Senate on Tuesday urged the Federal and State Governments to urgently ensure the adequate stocking, availability and accessibility of life-saving antidotes, including snake anti-venom and other emergency medicines, in both public and private hospitals across Nigeria.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule (APC, Lagos West), which raised concerns over the rising incidence of medical emergencies such as snakebites, scorpion stings, poisoning, drug overdoses and other envenomation cases requiring immediate medical intervention.

Leading the debate, Senator Adebule warned that delays in administering specific antidotes often result in avoidable deaths and long-term health complications. She expressed concern over the reported death of Miss Ifunanya Nwangene, who allegedly died after a snakebite in Abuja, describing the incident as a stark reflection of gaps in emergency preparedness and the availability of critical medicines in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

She noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies snakebite envenoming as a neglected tropical disease and stresses the need for timely access to safe and effective anti-venoms, particularly in countries like Nigeria where such incidents remain prevalent.

Adebule further cited constitutional provisions mandating government responsibility for citizens’ welfare, referencing Section 17(3)(d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires the state to provide adequate medical and health facilities, and Section 14(2)(b), which places the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government.

According to the lawmaker, many public and private hospitals either do not stock essential antidotes or maintain them in insufficient quantities, leading to dangerous treatment delays, unnecessary referrals and preventable loss of lives.

She lamented that victims of snakebites and poisoning emergencies are often forced to move from one hospital to another during the critical “golden hour” in search of antidotes, a situation that significantly increases mortality and morbidity rates.

Adopting the motion, the Senate called on health regulatory authorities to make the availability of essential antidotes a mandatory requirement for licensing, registration and renewal of accreditation of private hospitals. Lawmakers also urged adequate budgetary provision and efficient supply mechanisms to ensure constant availability of these drugs in public health facilities.

In addition, the Senate directed the Federal Ministry of Information and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to embark on nationwide public awareness campaigns on the importance of prompt hospital presentation following snakebites, poisoning and other envenomation incidents, warning against the dangers of delayed treatment.

The lawmakers further urged the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to strengthen the National Building Code by making the installation of Non-Return Valves (NRVs) mandatory in buildings to prevent rodents and snakes from entering homes through drainage systems.

The Senate said the measures were necessary to prevent avoidable deaths and strengthen Nigeria’s emergency healthcare response.