Half Of Nigerian Hospitals Lack Capacity To Treat Snakebites Despite Having 29 Species – Report

The findings are based on a survey of 904 frontline healthcare workers in Nigeria, Brazil, India, Indonesia and Kenya — five countries that collectively account for a large proportion of the global snakebite burden.

At least half of health facilities in Nigeria lack the capacity to adequately treat snakebite envenoming, a new global report has revealed, raising fresh concerns about preventable deaths and disabilities across the country.

The report, released by the Strike Out Snakebite (SOS) initiative to commemorate World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day 2026 marked annually on January 30, said weak health systems, poor infrastructure and chronic shortages of life-saving antivenom continue to fuel high mortality and long-term complications, particularly in high-burden countries such as Nigeria.

The findings are based on a survey of 904 frontline healthcare workers in Nigeria, Brazil, India, Indonesia and Kenya — five countries that collectively account for a large proportion of the global snakebite burden.

According to the report, 50 per cent of health workers said their facilities lack the full capacity to manage snakebite cases, while 99 per cent reported difficulties administering antivenom, the only treatment recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as essential for snakebite care.

Nigeria’s situation was described as especially alarming, with 98 per cent of healthcare workers surveyed reporting challenges in administering antivenom.

“Nigeria is home to 29 species of snakes, nearly 41 per cent of which are venomous, yet many victims still struggle to access timely medical care,” the report stated.

Healthcare workers identified urgent priorities including improved access to care, better-quality antivenom, stronger regulation, expanded training, and increased community education to reduce risky behaviours.

The report highlighted “delays in patients arriving at health facilities (57 per cent), poor infrastructure and inadequate equipment (56 per cent), and lack of training and clinical guidelines (42 per cent) as key factors contributing to avoidable deaths and disabilities.”

It comes amid recent public outrage over the death of Abuja-based music talent Ifunanya Nwangene, who reportedly visited two hospitals that were unable to administer antivenom before she died.

The report further revealed that 35 per cent of healthcare workers face daily shortages of antivenom, while more than 77 per cent reported life-threatening delays in patients seeking treatment, often because victims first resort to traditional remedies.

In addition, 44 per cent of respondents said avoidable delays have resulted in amputations or major surgeries, outcomes that frequently plunge affected families into deeper poverty.

Snakebite envenoming was described as a crisis of inequality, disproportionately affecting rural communities, children and agricultural workers who live far from well-equipped health facilities.

“Snakebite envenoming kills roughly one person every five minutes worldwide, yet remains severely underreported and underfunded despite being preventable and treatable,” the report said.

Speaking on the findings, Co-Chair of the Global Snakebite Taskforce and Chancellor of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Elhadj As Sy, said the research underscores an urgent global emergency.

“Snakebite envenoming causes up to 138,000 deaths every year — one person every five minutes — and leaves a further 400,000 with permanent disabilities,” he said.

He described it as baffling that one of the deadliest neglected tropical diseases remains largely invisible to global decision-makers, donors and funders.

“No one should be dying from snakebite envenoming,” he added, calling for urgent action to ensure that a preventable and treatable condition no longer claims lives in Nigeria and other vulnerable regions.

Elhadj As Sy also stressed that frontline health workers are battling the disease within fragile and under-resourced systems.

“Too often, conversations on global health overlook those who shoulder the greatest burden — frontline healthcare workers. This report shines a light on the severe challenges they face. Many solutions exist, but political will and bold commitments from governments, partners and investors are needed to turn the tide on this preventable yet devastating disease,” he said.

The report noted that victims often endure long journeys to care, face limited infrastructure and encounter scarce and costly antivenom, barriers that transform a treatable condition into a life-threatening emergency.

It also highlighted simple preventive measures such as wearing protective footwear, using mosquito nets, carrying torches at night and avoiding snake habitats, which could significantly reduce risk, especially in rural areas.

Elhadj urged governments to take decisive action.

“As Co-Chair of the GST, my mission is simple: to bring snakebite out of the shadows and demand the attention, action, and resources from the international community. The solutions exist. The deaths are preventable. Frontline healthcare workers have spoken. I invite you to listen. Stand with them,” he said.

Executive Secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), Joy Phumaphi, said, “Snakebite envenoming continues to take the lives of vulnerable people despite being preventable. On World NTD Day, ALMA reaffirms our commitment to strengthen prevention and control through advocacy and country-led solutions. Unite. Act. Eliminate NTDs.”

The report called on governments, philanthropists, multilateral agencies and industry players to increase investment in research, expand affordable and high-quality antivenom production, modernise health infrastructure and integrate snakebite prevention and treatment into national health plans.

SOS warned that snakebite envenoming currently receives only a fraction of the funding required, despite causing up to 138,000 deaths and 400,000 permanent disabilities globally every year.