The Nigerian Senate has directed all public and private hospitals across the country to immediately stock essential emergency antidotes, including snake anti-venom, following the death of Abuja-based singer Ifunanya Nwangene.
The directive was issued during plenary on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who described the incident as a stark reminder of weaknesses in Nigeria’s emergency healthcare response.
“The loss of a young Nigerian in the nation’s capital is deeply troubling and exposes serious gaps in emergency preparedness,” Akpabio said. “Hospitals must be ready to respond to emergencies at all times. Anti-venom is not optional; it is essential.”
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule (APC, Lagos West), which called on federal and state authorities to ensure the availability and accessibility of life-saving antidotes and emergency medicines in hospitals nationwide.
Presenting the motion, Adebule said many health facilities lack basic emergency drugs, resulting in avoidable delays and loss of lives.
“A significant number of public and private hospitals do not stock critical antidotes such as anti-venoms,” she said.
“This leads to dangerous referrals, delayed treatment, and preventable deaths, which contradicts the state’s constitutional responsibility to provide adequate healthcare.”
The Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Health and relevant regulatory agencies to develop and strictly enforce national guidelines on minimum stock levels for emergency antidotes.
Lawmakers also called on state governments to carry out immediate audits of hospitals to ensure compliance.
In addition, the Upper Chamber asked health regulators to make the availability of essential antidotes a compulsory requirement for hospital licensing and accreditation.
It also recommended nationwide public awareness campaigns to encourage prompt medical attention after emergencies such as snakebites.
As part of broader preventive measures, the Senate directed the Federal Ministry of Housing to strengthen provisions in the National Building Code by mandating the installation of Non-Return Valves in drainage systems to prevent snakes and rodents from entering buildings.
The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of Ifunanya Nwangene, whose death has sparked widespread public concern and renewed calls for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
