By Micah Jonah
February 4, 2026
The Nigerian Senate has called for mandatory stocking of antivenom in hospitals across the country following the reported death of a singer in Abuja after a snakebite.
Lawmakers described the incident as avoidable and expressed concern over recurring cases where victims of snakebites lose their lives due to the unavailability of life-saving antivenom in health facilities. They stressed that timely access to antivenom remains critical to reducing fatalities, especially in urban and rural communities prone to snake encounters.
The Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Health and relevant agencies to enforce strict compliance by public and private hospitals to ensure adequate supplies of antivenom at all times. It also called for improved emergency response systems and better training of healthcare workers in managing snakebite cases.
Senators noted that Nigeria records thousands of snakebite incidents annually, with many resulting in deaths that could be prevented through proper preparedness and access to treatment. They emphasised that mandatory stocking of antivenom would strengthen public confidence in the healthcare system and save lives.
