Death of Nigerian singer highlights crisis of ‘preventable’ snakebite fatalities

Ifunanya Nwangene, 26, known as Nanyah, a singer and former contestant on The Voice Nigeria, was bitten by a snake while asleep in her flat in Abuja and died a few hours later after seeking treatment, as a friend waited at a pharmacy to buy antivenom. The case has prompted a public debate over the availability of antivenoms in Nigeria and globally.

Campaigners say insufficient funding and fragile research investment threaten efforts to reduce snakebite deaths and disabilities, and the World Health Organization says most deaths are preventable if safe, effective antivenoms are available and administered quickly.

The Federal Medical Centre in Abuja said it provided polyvalent antivenom and emergency care and described the death as due to severe neurotoxic complications and a sudden deterioration.

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