Senate urges stocking of snake anti-venom, other antidotes in hospitals

The Senate on Tuesday urged the federal and state governments to ensure the adequate stocking, availability and accessibility of life-saving antidotes, including snake anti-venom and other emergency medicines, in public and private hospitals nationwide.

The call followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule (APC, Lagos West), which highlighted the growing incidence of medical emergencies such as snakebites, scorpion stings, poisoning, drug overdoses and other forms of envenomation that require urgent intervention.

Leading the debate, Adebule warned that delays in administering specific antidotes often lead to avoidable deaths and long-term health complications. She expressed concern over the reported death of Miss Ifunanya Nwangene, who allegedly died after a snakebite in Abuja, describing the incident as a stark reminder of gaps in emergency preparedness and antidote availability within Nigeria’s health system.

The lawmaker noted that the World Health Organisation classifies snakebite envenoming as a neglected tropical disease and stresses the need for timely access to safe and effective antivenoms, particularly in countries like Nigeria, where such cases are prevalent.

Adopting the motion, the Senate urged health regulatory bodies to make the stocking of essential antidotes mandatory for the licensing and accreditation of private hospitals, while calling for improved funding and supply systems for public hospitals.

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