The Federal Medical Centre in Abuja has publicly responded to the controversy surrounding the death of singer Ifunanya ‘Nanyah’ Nwangene, who died after being bitten by a snake at her residence.
News of her death on Sunday ignited widespread public outcry and debate over emergency healthcare readiness. According to accounts from her music group, the Amemuso Choir, Nwangene was turned away from two hospitals due to a reported lack of anti-venom before arriving at the FMC.
Sam Ezugwu, the choir’s music director, told TheCable that upon seeing a distress post on the singer’s social media, he rushed to the FMC and found her in severe distress. He claimed hospital staff informed him that while two doses of anti-venom were needed, only one was immediately available and had been administered.
In a statement, the FMC management defended its medical response, asserting that its staff provided “immediate and comprehensive care.”
The hospital confirmed treatment included resuscitation, intravenous fluids, intranasal oxygen, and the administration of “polyvalent snake antivenom.”
The hospital disclosed that their evaluation found Nwangene had “suffered severe neurotoxic complications” from the bite. As preparations were underway to admit her to the Intensive Care Unit, she “developed a sudden deterioration” and subsequently died.
