The Medical Director of the Snakebite Hospital and Research Centre, Nicholas Amani, has revealed that anti-snake venom is extremely scarce in Nigeria and globally, with prices rising as high as ₦250,000 per dose.
Dr. Amani made the disclosure during an interview with The PUNCH while reacting to the death of aspiring singer Ifunanya Nwangene, who reportedly died after a snake bite in her Abuja apartment. Reports indicated that she was turned away by two hospitals due to the non-availability of anti-snake venom.
Speaking on the broader challenge of snakebite management, Amani said scarcity remains a global issue.
“The truth is that anti-snake venom is a scarce commodity all around the world. Snake bite mainly affects the less privileged — farmers and rural dwellers — people who do not really have a voice,” he said.
According to him, discussions at international conferences repeatedly highlight the same concern.
“Everywhere we attend conferences and international meetings, it is the same issue — scarcity, scarcity. Ultimately, there are no free anti-snake venoms available. Most of them are now being sold by pharmacy vendors.”
Despite growing recognition of snakebite as a major public health challenge, Amani said even specialised hospitals currently lack adequate supplies.
“I want to make it very clear that even in specialised hospitals, we do not actually have anti-snake venom in our facilities currently. Efforts are being made by the government, but the process is still in the pipeline.”
Using Kaltungo as an example, he explained that patients are often forced to buy the life-saving drug from private sources.
“Even in Kaltungo, it is pharmacists and business people in town who are supplying the anti-venom. Patients have to go and buy from them. So the issue of scarcity is real.”
The revelation has renewed calls for urgent government intervention to improve access, affordability, and distribution of anti-snake venom across Nigeria.
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