Senate Calls for Mandatory Antivenom in Hospitals Nationwide
In a decisive move to address a critical public health gap, the Nigerian Senate has formally urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ensure the procurement and nationwide availability of antivenoms in all public and private hospitals. The resolution, championed during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, underscores a growing national concern over preventable fatalities linked to the absence of these life-saving antidotes, particularly in high-risk regions.
The legislative action was prompted by a motion sponsored by Senator Adebule Idiat Oluranti, which highlighted the urgent need for federal and state governments to guarantee the adequate stocking and accessibility of emergency medicines. Senator Idiat, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, pointed to a rising incidence of medical emergencies from snakebites, scorpion stings, and other envenomations. The tragic case that brought the issue to national attention was the death of 26-year-old singer Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene, known as Nanyah, who succumbed to a snakebite in her Abuja residence in January 2026 after reportedly being unable to access timely treatment.
Senate President Akpabio emphasized that Nigeria must strengthen its emergency healthcare response to avert such avoidable deaths. This call aligns with World Health Organization guidelines stressing that early access to medical care, including antivenom, is critical for survival and reducing complications. The Senate’s directive aims to create a standardized emergency care framework that could complement other national efforts, such as when Yobe State pays healthcare allowances or as the Nsitf expand its occupational safety programs. Ensuring antivenom availability is seen as a foundational step in a robust health system, much as the Jamb announces April examination dates to structure the academic calendar or as financial institutions like Fcmb posts N200.91bn in earnings to indicate economic health.
This policy push represents a significant step toward mitigating a long-standing rural health crisis. The success of this mandate will depend on coordinated procurement, distribution, and training, ensuring that from urban centers to remote villages, the response to venomous bites is swift and effective. As the nation continues to embrace technological solutions in sectors like finance, seen in comparisons like Cardtonic Esim Vs traditional services, applying similar urgency to healthcare logistics could save countless lives.
