By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Senate has directed the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to develop and enforce national guidelines mandating minimum stock levels of essential antidotes and emergency medicines in public and private hospitals across Nigeria.
The resolution followed a motion by Senator Idiat Adebule (APC, Lagos West), who warned that rising medical emergencies—snakebites, scorpion stings, poisoning, drug overdose and other envenomation—require stronger national preparedness.
Lawmakers expressed concern over the death of Abuja-based singer Ifunanya “Nanyah” Nwangene, who reportedly died after a snakebite and inability to access anti-venom at two hospitals.
They described the incident as tragic and avoidable.
The Senate asked health regulators to make the stocking of life-saving antidotes a mandatory condition for hospital licensing and accreditation, while ensuring adequate funding and reliable supply for public facilities.
It also directed the Federal Ministry of Information and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to launch nationwide campaigns encouraging prompt hospital visits after snakebites or poisoning, and warning against delays in seeking treatment.
Nwangene died on Saturday after rushing herself to multiple hospitals in Abuja where anti-snake venom was reportedly unavailable.
