|By Adejumo Adekunle
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has pledged to intensify efforts to curb snakebite-related deaths across the territory, describing the incidents as largely preventable public health emergencies.
The Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, made the commitment in a statement issued on Tuesday while condoling with the family of Ms. Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene, who died after developing neurotoxic complications from a snakebite.
Fasawe described the death as painful and avoidable, stressing that the loss of a young life must spur decisive action. She said the FCTA would strengthen preventive measures and emergency responses to ensure similar tragedies do not recur.
Warning that snakebites remain a serious but underreported health threat, she noted that snakes commonly inhabit rainforests, grasslands, farms, semi-arid areas and environments close to human settlements. According to her, Nigeria is home to highly venomous species such as cobras, vipers and puff adders, making it unsafe to assume any snakebite is harmless.
She insisted that all snakebites should be treated as venomous until medically confirmed otherwise and urged residents to adopt preventive habits, including wearing protective clothing during farm work, avoiding tall grass, using flashlights at night, clearing debris around homes, sealing openings in buildings and avoiding direct contact with snakes.
On emergency response, Fasawe advised victims to remain calm, immobilise the affected limb below heart level, remove tight clothing or jewellery, clean the wound gently and seek immediate medical attention at facilities with antivenom. She warned strongly against harmful practices such as cutting or sucking the wound, applying tourniquets or ice, and resorting to herbal remedies.
The FCTA assured residents that anti-snake venom is readily available in its hospitals and public health facilities. Fasawe explained that both polyvalent and multivalent antivenoms are centrally stored at the Abuja Central Medical Stores and managed directly by the Secretariat to guarantee quality control, cold-chain integrity and constant availability.
She emphasised that early treatment is critical, noting that antivenom is most effective when administered promptly and may not reverse damage once severe neurotoxic symptoms have developed.
To shorten response times, the FCTA has expanded road networks and recently procured 12 fully equipped ambulances to handle medical emergencies. Public hospitals, she said, are equipped to provide antivenom administration, patient immobilisation, close monitoring for adverse reactions and supportive care, while tertiary facilities offer intensive care services, airway management, coagulation monitoring and blood transfusions where required.
Fasawe also warned healthcare providers to strictly comply with approved clinical protocols, adding that monitoring and enforcement would be intensified. She said any public or private facility found negligent would face sanctions.
Residents were advised to contact the FCT Emergency Medical System and Ambulance Services on 090157892931 or 090157892932 during snakebite or other medical emergencies.
The FCTA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening emergency health systems, enforcing quality standards and safeguarding the lives of residents across the Federal Capital Territory.
