The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has pledged to strengthen prevention, emergency response, and healthcare systems to curb snakebite incidents across the territory, following the death of Ms Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene from neurotoxic complications arising from a snakebite.
The Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family, describing the incident as a painful and distressing loss.
“The loss of a promising young life is deeply painful. I share in the family’s grief and reaffirm that such medically preventable deaths must be taken seriously, with strengthened measures to prevent recurrence,” Dr Fasawe said.
She noted that snakebites remain a largely preventable public health emergency, stressing that snakes are commonly found in rainforests, grasslands, farms, semi-arid areas, and around human settlements in search of food or shelter.
According to her, this proximity has increased the risk of human-snake encounters in many communities.
“In Nigeria, highly venomous species such as cobras, vipers, and puff adders are present. As a rule, all snakebites must be treated as venomous until proven otherwise,” she warned.
Dr Fasawe urged residents of the FCT to adopt primary prevention measures, including wearing protective clothing while farming or walking through tall grass, clearing bushes and debris around homes, sealing openings that allow snakes into buildings, and avoiding dark areas or using flashlights at night.
She advised that in the event of a snakebite, victims should remain calm, immobilise the affected limb below heart level, remove tight items such as rings or bangles, gently clean the wound, and proceed immediately to a hospital with antivenom.
“Harmful practices such as cutting or sucking the wound, applying tourniquets, ice, or herbal remedies must be avoided,” she cautioned.
Reassuring residents, the Mandate Secretary said various forms of anti-snake venom are widely available across FCTA-owned hospitals and public health facilities. She explained that antivenom stocking is guided by collaboration with veterinary doctors who help identify common snake species and venom strains within the FCT.
“Both polyvalent and multivalent antivenoms are maintained, centrally stored at the FCTA-owned Abuja Central Medical Stores, and directly managed by the Secretariat to ensure quality, cold-chain integrity, and availability,” she said.
Dr Fasawe emphasised that prompt treatment is critical, noting that while early administration of antivenom improves outcomes, it does not always guarantee recovery, especially in cases where neurotoxic symptoms have already developed.
To improve emergency response times, she disclosed that the FCTA has expanded road networks and recently procured and deployed 12 ambulances equipped to handle medical emergencies, including snakebite cases.
According to her, FCT hospitals provide comprehensive care ranging from antivenom administration and immobilisation to monitoring for adverse reactions and supportive treatment. She added that tertiary care services, including intensive care, airway management, coagulation monitoring, and blood transfusion, are available across FCT hospitals.
Dr Fasawe reaffirmed that all healthcare facilities, both public and private, must strictly adhere to approved clinical protocols, warning that monitoring and enforcement would be intensified.
“Facilities found negligent will face sanctions,” she said.
She urged residents to promptly contact the FCT Emergency Medical System and Ambulance Services during emergencies via 090157892931 or 090157892932.
“The FCTA remains resolute in strengthening emergency systems, enforcing quality healthcare standards, and protecting the lives of all residents of the Federal Capital Territory,” she added.
