A major hospital in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, has denied claims of negligence following the death of a promising young singer who was bitten by a snake.
Ifunanya Nwagene, a popular soprano known to fans as “Nanyah,” died on Saturday at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abuja. Her death has sent shockwaves through the city’s music scene and triggered a wave of social media speculation regarding the hospital’s emergency response.
The Amemuso Choir, where Nanyah was a lead singer, described her as a “rising star on the cusp of sharing her incredible talent with the world.”
‘Severe neurotoxic complications’
In a detailed statement released on Sunday evening, the management of FMC Abuja expressed deep condolences to the singer’s family but moved firmly to correct the narrative surrounding her final hours.
The hospital stated that Nanyah arrived in a critical condition suffering from “severe neurotoxic complications”—a condition where snake venom attacks the nervous system, often leading to paralysis or respiratory failure.
According to the hospital, the medical team’s intervention included:
- Immediate Resuscitation: Use of intravenous fluids and intranasal oxygen.
- Antivenom: The administration of polyvalent snake antivenom.
- Emergency Measures: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after her condition “deteriorated suddenly” just as she was being prepared for transfer to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Addressing the ‘social media storm’
The hospital took the unusual step of explicitly addressing “unfounded” claims circulating online that it lacked the necessary antivenom to save the singer.
“The claims of non-availability of anti-snake venom and inadequate response do not reflect the reality of the situation,” a spokesperson for the FMC said. “Appropriate medication was available and administered.”
Analysis: A silent killer in the city
By Segun Ojumu, Africa Eye News, Abuja
Snake bites are often viewed as a rural problem in Nigeria, but as Abuja expands into previously undeveloped bushland, encounters with venomous snakes like cobras and carpet vipers are becoming more common in suburban areas.
The grief surrounding Nanyah’s death has tapped into a wider public anxiety about the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system. While the FMC has provided a clinical timeline to defend its reputation, the tragedy highlights a desperate need for public awareness. In cases of neurotoxic envenomation, the window for successful treatment is incredibly narrow, often leaving doctors in a race against time that—as in this case—is tragically lost.
The Amemuso Choir has said that burial arrangements will be announced in due course.
Add Comment