At least 50 per cent of health facilities in Nigeria lack the capacity to treat snakebite envenoming, according to a new report by the global Strike Out Snakebite (SOS) initiative.
The report was released to mark World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day 2026, observed annually on January 30.
It identified weak health systems, poor infrastructure and severe shortages of life-saving antivenom as key factors driving preventable deaths and long-term disabilities, particularly in high-burden countries such as Nigeria.
Troubling Findings from Frontline Health Workers
The report was based on a survey of 904 frontline healthcare workers across Nigeria, Brazil, India, Indonesia and Kenya — countries with the highest burden of snakebite envenoming globally.
Overall, 50 per cent of respondents said their facilities lacked full capacity to manage snakebite cases, while 99 per cent reported difficulties administering antivenom — the only treatment recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for snakebite care.
In Nigeria, the situation was described as especially alarming, with 98 per cent of healthcare workers reporting challenges in administering antivenom.
“Nigeria is home to 29 species of snakes, nearly 41 per cent of which are venomous, yet many victims still struggle to access timely medical care,” the report stated.
Delays, Shortages and Preventable Harm
Healthcare workers identified urgent priorities, including improved access to care, better antivenom quality, stronger regulation, expanded training and increased community education.
Key contributors to avoidable deaths and disabilities included:
- Delays in patients reaching health facilities (57%)
- Poor infrastructure and inadequate equipment (56%)
- Lack of training and clinical guidelines (42%)
The report follows the recent death of Abuja-based music talent Ifunanya Nwangene, who reportedly visited two hospitals unable to administer antivenom before she passed away.
It further revealed that 35 per cent of healthcare workers face daily antivenom shortages, while over 77 per cent reported life-threatening delays caused by reliance on traditional remedies.
According to the findings, 44 per cent of respondents said such delays resulted in amputations or major surgeries, often pushing affected families into poverty.
A Crisis of Inequality
Snakebite envenoming was described as a crisis of inequality, disproportionately affecting rural communities, children and agricultural workers living far from well-equipped health facilities.
“Snakebite envenoming kills roughly one person every five minutes worldwide, yet remains severely underreported and underfunded despite being preventable and treatable,” the report noted.
Calls for Urgent Government Action
Speaking on the findings, Elhadj As Sy, Co-Chair of the Global Snakebite Taskforce and Chancellor of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said snakebite envenoming causes up to 138,000 deaths annually and leaves 400,000 people with permanent disabilities.
“No one should be dying from snakebite envenoming,” he said, calling for urgent action to ensure timely treatment across Nigeria and other vulnerable regions.
He added that frontline health workers are left to battle the disease within fragile and under-resourced systems, despite existing solutions.
Executive Secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), Joy Phumaphi, also reaffirmed commitment to tackling the crisis through advocacy and country-led solutions.
The report urged governments, philanthropists, multilateral agencies and industry leaders to increase investment in research, expand affordable antivenom production, modernise health infrastructure and integrate snakebite prevention into national health plans.
