The Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Professor Saad Ahmed, has told the Senate that a nearly two-hour delay before the arrival of musician Ifunanya Nwangene at the hospital was the decisive factor in her death from a cobra bite on January 31.
Speaking on Saturday during the continuation of the defence of the 2026 budget estimates before the Senate Committee on Health, Professor Ahmed said the 26-year-old arrived at FMC Jabi already showing clear signs of systemic envenomation.
“We extend our condolences to the family,” Ahmed said, but stressed that time was critical in cobra bites.
He told senators and reporters that the victim presented at the hospital more than two hours after being bitten a delay that, he said, reduced the effectiveness of treatment.
Contradicting social media claims that anti-venom was not given, the CMD said FMC Jabi had the necessary medication in stock and that two doses of antisnake venom were administered the first by infusion and a follow-up dose thereafter.
“Two doses were promptly administered,” he said, adding that the venom had already gone systemic by the time the patient arrived.
“If she had presented within 10 to 15 minutes, anti-venom is usually most effective. Unfortunately, she arrived after more than two hours.”
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Professor Ahmed used the incident to urge improved preparedness, especially in facilities that may not be equipped to manage envenomation emergencies. He insisted that FMC Abuja’s emergency unit was fully staffed and stocked, and that the centre had responded according to protocol.
The CMD’s testimony comes amid public debate over emergency response and the timeliness of care in life-threatening cases, a discussion he said should prompt hospitals and health authorities to reassess readiness for such incidents.
