The death of 26-year-old Nigerian singer Ifunanya Nwangene from a snakebite has sparked a fierce national debate over the shortage of life-saving medicine. Nwangene was bitten while sleeping in her Abuja apartment. After sending a final message asking for help, she died just a few hours later. At the time of her death, a friend was waiting at a local pharmacy to buy the specific drug the hospital claimed it did not have in stock. Following the tragedy, two snakes, including a medium-sized cobra, were discovered inside her home.

Nwangene's death has drawn intense criticism from health campaigners and the World Health Organization (WHO). These groups argue that most snakebite deaths are preventable if safe, high-quality antivenoms (medicines that neutralize venom) are available and administered immediately. A recent survey of healthcare workers supports these concerns, revealing widespread problems including daily shortages of these essential drugs.

In response to the outcry, the Federal Medical Centre stated that it gave Nwangene immediate care, including a polyvalent antivenom, which is a treatment designed to work against several different snake species. The hospital denies claims that they lacked the necessary supplies to save her life.