Resident Doctors Warn Against Misinformation on Snakebite Treatment

Nigerian medical experts have pushed back against widespread misinformation following the death of young singer Ifunaya from alleged snakebite complications at an Abuja hospital. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) issued a comprehensive statement addressing both the tragedy and subsequent public discourse that has potentially misled Nigerians about proper medical care.

In their official response, NARD leaders expressed condolences to the singer’s family while voicing concern over inaccurate medical claims that have circulated since the incident. The statement, jointly signed by NARD President Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, Secretary-General Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and Publicity Secretary Dr. Abdulmajid Yahya Ibrahim, specifically highlighted problematic comments made during a recent TVC Breakfast broadcast.

“While public outrage over such a tragic loss is understandable, the spread of medical misinformation can have serious consequences for public health and unfairly maligns healthcare workers,” the statement noted.

The association directly refuted specific claims made on the television program, particularly the suggestion that constricting a snake-bitten limb is an appropriate response. According to NARD, this outdated practice has been abandoned by modern medicine as evidence shows it can worsen tissue injury, increase necrosis risk, and fails to meaningfully prevent venom spread.

NARD further clarified that administering intravenous fluids to snakebite victims is not only appropriate but potentially life-saving, especially in cases involving shock, hemotoxic effects, or dehydration. They emphasized that characterizing IV fluids as merely “treatment for malaria” fundamentally misrepresents standard medical practice.

“Snake antivenom remains the definitive treatment for envenomation, and its timely availability can mean the difference between life and death,” the doctors explained, shifting attention to what they described as the core issue: systemic failures in Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.

The statement highlighted that the persistent unavailability of antivenom and other essential medicines in Nigerian hospitals reflects longstanding problems with health financing, procurement, and supply chain management. These systemic deficiencies, rather than individual healthcare workers’ actions, deserve national attention and reform efforts according to NARD.

The situation underscores broader challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system, where frontline medical professionals routinely work with insufficient resources, inadequate equipment, and chronic staffing shortages. Despite these constraints, healthcare workers continue providing care to the best of their abilities, making public blame for outcomes stemming from systemic failures particularly damaging to morale and public trust.

NARD called on media organizations to consult qualified medical experts when discussing health-related topics and to prioritize accurate reporting that educates rather than inflames public sentiment. The association also urged government authorities at all levels to ensure consistent availability of life-saving medicines like snake antivenom, particularly in regions where snakebites are common.

This incident comes amid other ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s medical sector, including disputes over job evaluations and collective bargaining between doctor associations and the federal government.

“Preventable deaths should prompt constructive, informed conversations on health system reform, not sensationalism or misplaced blame,” the statement concluded. “If we are truly committed to preventing future tragedies, our collective focus must be on strengthening the health system and supporting those who work within it.”