Some health practitioners have urged the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system for effective service delivery, particularly in managing snakebites and other critical health emergencies.
The experts spoke with reporters on Sunday in Lagos, following the death of Abuja-based music talent Ifunanya Nwangene, who reportedly visited two hospitals unable to administer antivenom before she passed away.
The 1st Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State, Dr Ewonowo Temidire, said primary and secondary healthcare facilities should be equipped and repositioned to effectively treat snakebites.
Temidire stressed the need to provide rural and community facilities with the requisites for managing snakebite cases, including:
- Training and retraining of healthcare workers
- Steady supply and availability of quality antivenom
- Provision of basic equipment
- Adequate funding for health facilities
“Ensuring good quality of available antivenom, provision of free or subsidized treatment, and readily available oxygen in health facilities are practicable measures the government can explore,” he said.
He also advocated inter-sectoral collaboration between health facilities, traditional healers, and faith-based organizations to improve snakebite outcomes.
According to him, such collaboration would create effective referral pathways, encouraging traditional healers and religious bodies to promptly refer snakebite victims to appropriate hospitals.
“Oftentimes, patients with snakebites resort to prayer houses and traditional healers, who may turn a treatable condition into a life-threatening emergency.
“Snakebites are never treated in prayer houses. With effective synergy and sensitization, traditional healers will gladly refer such cases to hospitals,” Temidire said.
He warned that tying or constricting a snake-bitten limb is no longer recommended in modern medical practice, as it can worsen tissue damage and increase the risk of necrosis.
He highlighted simple preventive measures—wearing protective footwear, using mosquito nets, carrying torches at night, and avoiding snake habitats—saying these could significantly reduce risk, especially in rural areas.
Contributing, Prof. Abdulsalami Nasidi, Pioneer CEO of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and Chairman of the EchiTAb Study Group Nigeria, urged health workers to participate in specialized snakebite management training.
Nasidi explained that the Federal Ministry of Health runs a dedicated snakebite programme and conducts such trainings periodically.
According to him, Nigeria already has EchiTAb antivenoms—specifically developed and produced against the country’s venomous snakes.
“The country has acquired and distributes effective, highly specific antivenoms to affected areas as a short-term solution.
“For a long-term solution, efforts should be made to achieve self-sufficiency by establishing local production,” Nasidi said.
