REPORT: Half of Nigerian health facilities lack capacity to treat snakebite

At least half of health facilities in Nigeria lack the capacity to adequately manage snakebite envenoming, a new global report has revealed, raising concerns about preventable deaths and long-term disabilities.

The report, released by the Strike Out Snakebite (SOS) initiative to mark World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day 2026, said weak health systems, poor infrastructure and chronic shortages of antivenom continue to drive high mortality in high-burden countries, including Nigeria.

The findings are based on a survey of 904 frontline healthcare workers in Nigeria, Brazil, India, Indonesia and Kenya.

According to the report, 50 percent of health workers said their facilities lack the full capacity to manage snakebite cases.

It added that 99 percent of respondents reported difficulties administering antivenom, the only treatment recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as essential for snakebite care.

Nigeria’s situation was described as particularly alarming, with 98 percent of healthcare workers surveyed reporting challenges in administering antivenom.

“Nigeria is home to 29 species of snakes, nearly 41 percent of which are venomous, yet many victims still struggle to access timely medical care,” the report said.

Healthcare workers identified priorities such as improved access to care, better-quality antivenom, stronger regulation, expanded training and increased community education.

The report listed “delays in patients arriving at health facilities (57 percent), poor infrastructure and inadequate equipment (56 percent), and lack of training and clinical guidelines (42 percent)” as key contributors to avoidable deaths and disabilities.

The findings come amid public outrage over the death of Ifunanya Nwangene, an Abuja-based music talent who reportedly visited two hospitals that could not administer antivenom before she died.

The report said 35 percent of healthcare workers face daily shortages of antivenom.

It also found that more than 77 percent reported life-threatening delays in patients seeking treatment, often because victims first turn to traditional remedies.

According to the survey, 44 percent of respondents said avoidable delays have resulted in amputations or major surgeries, outcomes that frequently push affected families into deeper poverty.

The report described snakebite envenoming as a crisis of inequality that disproportionately affects rural communities, children and agricultural workers.

“Snakebite envenoming kills roughly one person every five minutes worldwide, yet remains severely underreported and underfunded despite being preventable and treatable,” the report said.

Elhadj As Sy, co-chair of the Global Snakebite Taskforce, said the findings highlight an urgent global emergency.

“Snakebite envenoming causes up to 138,000 deaths every year — one person every five minutes — and leaves a further 400,000 with permanent disabilities,” he said.

He described it as baffling that one of the deadliest neglected tropical diseases remains largely invisible to decision-makers and donors.

“No one should be dying from snakebite envenoming,” As Sy said, calling for urgent action to ensure access to timely and effective treatment.

He added that frontline health workers are battling the disease within fragile and under-resourced systems.

“Too often, conversations on global health overlook those who shoulder the greatest burden — frontline healthcare workers,” he said.

Joy Phumaphi, executive secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, said snakebite envenoming continues to claim lives despite being preventable.

“On World NTD Day, ALMA reaffirms our commitment to strengthen prevention and control through advocacy and country-led solutions,” Phumaphi said.

The report called on governments, donors and industry players to scale up investment in research, expand affordable antivenom production, modernise health infrastructure and integrate snakebite care into national health plans.

It warned that snakebite envenoming currently receives only a fraction of the funding required, despite causing up to 138,000 deaths and 400,000 permanent disabilities globally each year.

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