The Senate has urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to establish and enforce national guidelines requiring public and private hospitals to maintain minimum stock levels of essential antidotes and emergency medicines.
The resolution followed deliberation on a motion sponsored by Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule (APC, Lagos West), who raised concerns over the growing incidence of medical emergencies, including snakebites, scorpion stings, poisoning, drug overdoses and other forms of envenomation.
Lawmakers expressed concern over the death of Abuja-based singer Ifunanya Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah, who reportedly died after a snakebite. The Senate described the incident as tragic and said it highlighted gaps in emergency preparedness and the availability of life-saving antidotes in healthcare facilities nationwide.
As part of its resolutions, the upper chamber called on health regulatory agencies to make the availability of essential antidotes a compulsory requirement for the licensing, registration and accreditation renewal of private hospitals. It also urged the government to ensure adequate funding and efficient supply systems for public hospitals.
The Senate further directed the Federal Ministry of Information and the National Orientation Agency to intensify public awareness campaigns on the importance of seeking immediate medical attention after snakebites, poisoning and similar emergencies, while warning against delays in treatment.
Reports indicated that Nwangene sought treatment at two hospitals following the snakebite but was allegedly unable to access anti-venom.
