Ifunanya Nwangene, a promising 26-year-old singer known as Nanyah, has tragically passed away after suffering a snakebite in her home in Abuja, Nigeria. The incident has not only shocked her fans and friends but has also ignited a critical conversation about the accessibility and efficacy of snakebite treatments in a country where such incidents are all too common.
Snakebite Incident and Immediate Response
Nwangene was reportedly bitten by a snake while she slept, sustaining a serious injury to her wrist. In her last moments, she called for help through a message to her friends, urging them to come to her aid. Despite their swift action, including a trip to a pharmacy for antivenom, she succumbed to her injuries just hours later. This tragic event occurred on 31 January and has raised alarms about the preparedness of healthcare facilities in Nigeria for handling snakebite emergencies.
The singer, who gained recognition as a contestant on The Voice Nigeria in 2021, was looking forward to her debut solo concert later this year. Her choir has since expressed deep sorrow, describing her as a “rising star” who was on the verge of sharing her extraordinary talent with the world.
The Broader Crisis of Snakebite Fatalities
The death of Nwangene highlights a significant public health crisis—snakebites claim an estimated 138,000 lives globally each year, with many more suffering permanent disabilities. The World Health Organization (WHO) categorises snakebite envenoming as a neglected tropical disease, emphasising that most fatalities are preventable, provided that effective antivenoms are available and administered promptly.
Nigeria, home to 29 species of snakes, faces a particularly severe situation as 41% of these are venomous. The WHO has underscored the necessity for safe and effective antivenoms to be included in primary healthcare packages, especially in regions prone to snakebites. However, many healthcare facilities, including the first hospital Nwangene visited, reportedly lack adequate supplies of antivenom, which has led to tragic outcomes in similar cases.
Challenges in the Healthcare System
Reports from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), where Nwangene received treatment, indicate that despite administering polyvalent antivenom, she experienced severe neurological complications that contributed to her sudden decline. Eyewitness accounts reveal that medical staff at the FMC requested additional doses of medication, including neostigmine, to aid in her recovery. Sadly, as friends rushed to procure the necessary drugs, Nwangene’s condition deteriorated beyond recovery.
A concerning survey conducted by the Strike Out Snakebite global initiative found that 99% of healthcare workers in Brazil, Nigeria, India, and Indonesia reported challenges in administering antivenom, including insufficient training and daily shortages of the life-saving treatment. This lack of preparedness has serious implications for communities living in snake-prone areas.
A Call to Action
Experts, including Elhadj As Sy, chancellor of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, have called for urgent action to address the crisis surrounding snakebite treatment. They urge the international community to invest more in research and development of antivenoms and to ensure that healthcare systems are equipped to manage such emergencies effectively.
The FMC has defended its treatment of Nwangene, asserting that it provided immediate care, including resuscitation and intravenous fluids, and has denied claims of inadequate antivenom availability. However, the circumstances surrounding her untimely death continue to fuel discussions on the need for systemic improvements in healthcare provisions.
Why it Matters
The tragic loss of Ifunanya Nwangene serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved healthcare responses to snakebites in Nigeria and across the globe. With snakebite fatalities being largely preventable, the international community must prioritise funding and resources to tackle this neglected tropical disease. The fight for effective snakebite treatment is not just a health issue; it is a matter of justice and equity for those living in vulnerable regions.
