A Nigerian health expert has attributed the public confusion surrounding the death of singer Ifunanya Nwangene from a snakebite to widespread medical misinformation, calling for a national overhaul of public health education.
Dr. Stella Kokondo Essien, a clinician, stated that immediate, correct first aid is critical after a snakebite, emphasising immobilisation and rapid transport to a hospital. She cautioned against common traditional practices, such as tightly tying a cloth or tourniquet around the bitten limb. “Tying a tourniquet is dangerous and does not prevent venom spread. It can cause additional injury, such as killing the limb by cutting off blood flow,” Dr. Essien explained. She recommended simple splinting to keep the limb still as a safer alternative.
Her comments directly addressed public debate following Ms. Nwangene’s treatment. Many online critics alleged that intravenous (IV) fluids, commonly called a ‘drip,’ accelerated the venom’s effects. Dr. Essien firmly refuted this, stating that such claims are medically incorrect. “The venom was already in the bloodstream. The IV drip was important to dilute, stabilise, and support the patient while antivenom worked,” she said.
She explained that snake venoms, particularly from cobras, can paralyse respiratory muscles, leading to respiratory failure without urgent care. In Ms. Nwangene’s case, Dr. Essien noted that a prolonged delay before reaching the hospital and excessive movement after the bite on her hand—a location close to the heart—likely worsened the outcome by accelerating venom circulation. “Moving or struggling after a bite increases circulation and spreads venom faster, especially with an upper-limb bite,” she stated.
The incident has highlighted a broader issue of medical misinformation. Dr. Essien warned that false advice shared online can influence first responders and relatives during emergencies, with potentially fatal consequences. She urged the public, media commentators, and social media users to verify medical information with qualified professionals, noting that emergency protocols are based on clinical science, not myth.
“People should seek correct information before speaking publicly. Claiming the drip was injurious is wrong. Nigeria needs a systematic overhaul of public health education campaigns,” she said, clarifying that IV fluids are a supportive measure for dehydration or inability to eat, not a cure for diseases like malaria.
The case underscores the lethal gap between common folk practices and evidence-based medical response in snakebite management, a gap experts say systematic public health education must urgently close.
