Senate president Godswill Akpabio, has passed a resolution demanding that anti-venom and essential emergency medicines be stocked and readily accessible in hospitals across Nigeria, as part of efforts to close dangerous gaps in emergency care for sanke bite patients.
The directive followed a motion sponsored by Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule (APC-Lagos West), which highlighted the tragic and avoidable death of Ifunanya Nwangene, a singer who died after a snakebite when critical treatment was reportedly unavailable.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the incident as “deeply saddening and unacceptable,” and urged urgent action to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery. He called on the Federal Ministry of Health, Social Welfare and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to prioritise the procurement, quality assurance, proper storage and distribution of safe, effective, and affordable anti-venoms nationwide.
The Senate observed a moment of silence for Miss Nwangene and reaffirmed its commitment to improving Nigeria’s emergency healthcare response through legislative oversight and policy direction.
The move emphasizes the urgent need for better medical preparedness and access to life-saving anti-venom in health facilities nationwide, especially in emergency cases involving venomous bites.
