Singer Ifunanya Nwangene, 26, passed away at a hospital in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, on 31/1 after being bitten by a snake at her home. Videos circulating on social media showed a worker removing the snake from her apartment, with onlookers exclaiming, "That's a cobra!"

Sam Ezugwu, co-founder and music director of the Amemuso Choir, where Nwangene was a member, stated that the singer was bitten while she slept. Two venomous snakes were subsequently found inside her residence.

The incident caused public uproar, as venomous snakes are rarely seen in the upscale residential area where Nwangene lived, and due to the healthcare system's inability to save her in time.

The singer initially sought care at a nearby clinic, but it lacked the necessary antivenom. She was then transferred to a hospital for treatment.

Ezugwu reported that the hospital possessed one of two required types of antivenom but was missing the other. While doctors worked to stabilize her condition, Nwangene was unable to speak, communicating only through hand gestures and struggling to breathe.

Ezugwu urgently drove to find the missing antivenom, but by the time he returned to the hospital, Nwangene had died.

Ifunanya Nwangene, 26, before her death at a hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. Photo: BBC

Meanwhile, the Federal Medical Center Jabi in Abuja denied claims that it lacked sufficient antivenom and refuted rumors of a negligent response by its medical team upon receiving the patient.

"Our staff provided immediate and appropriate treatment, including resuscitation, fluid administration, nasal oxygen, and the use of polyvalent snake antivenom", the statement read.

The hospital stated that Nwangene suffered complex complications from the snake bite. Her condition rapidly worsened before she was transferred to intensive care, and doctors were unable to save her life.

Nwangene gained popularity and widespread admiration in Nigeria after participating in the country's "The Voice" program in 2021. Friends described her as a versatile performer, blending jazz, opera, classical, and soul music.

The incident has intensified discussions about the quality of medical care and patient safety, following a series of medical negligence accusations in Nigeria. This includes the death of novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's 21-month-old son, although the hospital involved denied any wrongdoing.

The Nigerian Health Minister acknowledged that the healthcare system is facing "systemic challenges" and announced the establishment of a national task force on clinical governance and patient safety to find solutions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies venomous snakebite as a neglected public health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries. In Africa, 435,000-580,000 snakebite cases requiring treatment are recorded each year. Sub-Saharan Africa alone sees approximately 30,000 deaths annually, though some estimates suggest the actual number may be higher.

Experts believe that the shortage of antivenom is a major reason why the full extent of the problem is difficult to quantify, as many victims seek treatment from traditional healers, leading to unreported cases.

Thanh Danh (According to BBC)