FCTA VOWS STRONGER MEASURES TO CURB SNAKEBITE
By: Prudence OKonna
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has pledged to strengthen prevention, emergency response, and healthcare delivery to curb snakebite-related deaths following the tragic death of Ms. Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene, who died from neurotoxic complications after a snakebite.
In a statement issued Monday, 2nd February, 2026, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, expressed her deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, describing the incident as a painful and medically preventable loss.
“The loss of Ms. Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene is deeply distressing. The death of such a promising young life must be taken seriously, and stronger measures must be implemented to prevent a recurrence,” Dr. Fasawe said.
She explained that snakebites remain a major but largely preventable public health emergency, particularly in areas where human settlements intersect with snake habitats such as farms, grasslands, rainforests, and semi-arid zones.
Noting that Nigeria is home to highly venomous snake species, including cobras, vipers, and puff adders, as all snakebites are potentially life-threatening.
The FCTA urged residents to treat every snakebite as venomous until proven otherwise and advised the public to adopt preventive measures such as wearing protective clothing when farming, clearing bushes and debris around homes, sealing entry points, and avoiding dark areas without proper lighting.
On first aid, the Mandate Secretary stressed that victims should remain calm, immobilise the affected limb below heart level, remove tight clothing or accessories, gently clean the wound, and proceed immediately to a hospital with antivenom.
Adding that harmful practices such as cutting or sucking the wound, applying tourniquets, ice, or herbal remedies were strongly discouraged.
Dr. Fasawe reassured residents that different types of anti-snake venom are readily available in FCTA-owned hospitals and public health facilities. She said stocking decisions are informed by collaboration with veterinary doctors who identify the most common snake species and venom strains within the FCT.
According to her, polyvalent and multivalent antivenoms are centrally stored at the Abuja Central Medical Stores and directly managed by the Secretariat to ensure quality assurance, cold-chain integrity, and availability.
While early administration of antivenom improves survival chances, she cautioned that it does not always guarantee recovery, especially in cases where neurotoxic symptoms have already developed, underscoring the need for rapid evacuation to health facilities.
To reduce emergency response times, the FCTA has expanded road networks and recently procured and deployed 12 fully equipped ambulances to manage medical emergencies across the territory. Hospitals in the FCT, she added, are equipped to provide antivenom treatment, patient monitoring, and advanced care including intensive care services, airway management, coagulation monitoring, and blood transfusion.
Dr. Fasawe further warned that all public and private healthcare facilities must strictly adhere to approved clinical protocols, noting that monitoring and enforcement would be intensified. Any facility found negligent, she said, would face sanctions.
Residents were advised to contact the FCT Emergency Medical System and Ambulance Services via 090157892931 or 090157892932 in the event of snakebites or other medical emergencies.
She reaffirmed the FCTA’s commitment to strengthening emergency healthcare systems, enforcing quality standards, and protecting the lives of all residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
