The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has assured residents that its hospitals and health facilities are well equipped with different anti-snake venom (ASV) medications to handle emergency cases of snakebite.

The Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

The assurance became necessary following the recent demise of a popular singer on TikTok, Ifunanya Nwangene, a.k.a. Nanya, who reportedly died in Abuja following neurotoxic complications from a snakebite.

Ms Fasawe consoled the family of the deceased, describing the loss of such a promising young life as deeply painful and distressing.

She said, “I share in the family’s grief and reaffirm that such medically preventable deaths must be taken seriously, with strengthened measures to prevent recurrence.”

She explained that the antivenom stocking decisions were guided by collaboration with veterinary doctors, who help to identify the most common snake species (venom strains) in the FCT.

According to her, polyvalent and multivalent antivenoms were maintained and centrally stored in FCTA-owned Abuja Central Medical Stores, adding that they were directly managed by the Secretariat to ensure quality, cold-chain integrity, and availability.

She, however, noted that prompt treatment was critical, adding that while antivenom is most effective when administered early, its use does not guarantee recovery, particularly after the manifestation of neurotoxic symptoms.

Ms Fasawe said that this underscored the need for rapid evacuation.

“To reduce response times, the FCTA has strengthened secondary prevention through expanded road networks and the recent procurement and deployment of 12 ambulances, equipped to manage emergencies.

“Hospitals provide antivenom administration, immobilisation (without tourniquets), monitoring for adverse reactions, and supportive care.

“Tertiary care, including intensive care unit admission, airway management, coagulation monitoring, and blood transfusion services, is available across FCT hospitals,” she said.

On quality assurance and emergency access, the mandate secretary reiterated that healthcare facilities, whether public or private, must adhere strictly to approved clinical protocols.

She warned that monitoring and enforcement would be intensified, and facilities found negligent would face sanctions.

Ms Fasawe disclosed that for emergencies, residents could contact FCT Emergency Medical System and Ambulance Services numbers – 09157892931 and 09157892932.

Meanwhile, on prevention and first aid, Ms Fasawe urged residents to adopt primary preventive measures, including wearing protective clothing when in farms or tall grasses and also to avoid dark areas.

She said that other preventive measures included using flashlights at night, clearing debris around homes, sealing entry points, and never handling snakes.

“In the event of a bite, immediate first aid includes staying calm, immobilising the affected limb below heart level, removing constrictive items, gently cleaning the wound, and proceeding immediately to a hospital with antivenom.

“Harmful practices such as cutting or sucking the wound, applying tourniquets, ice, or herbal remedies must be avoided,” she said.

The FCTA also assured of its resolve to strengthen its emergency systems, enforce quality healthcare standards, and protect the lives of residents of the FCT.

(NAN)