![\"Ifunanya](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/media.premiumtimesng.com\/wp-content\/files\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-04-at-07.42.54-1.jpeg?fit=828,885&ssl=1\")
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Medical expert clarifies why antivenom alone isn’t always enough and debunks viral claims regarding tourniquets and treatment errors.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u200bABUJA, NIGERIA<\/b> \u2014 As the Nigerian music community continues to mourn the loss of 26-year-old soprano Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene (Nanyah), a new expert analysis has emerged to address the growing debate over her medical care and the dangers of media-fueled misinformation.<\/p>\n
\u200bWriting for Premium Times<\/i>, Dr. Ayodele Alao (FWACS) provided a detailed medical breakdown of the incident, aiming to separate clinical facts from the “outrage and speculation” that followed the singer\u2019s death at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi.<\/p>\n
\u200bThe Clinical Reality of Neurotoxic Venom<\/b><\/p>\n
Nanyah was reportedly bitten by a snake while asleep in her Abuja home. Medical experts believe the culprit was likely a cobra, a species common in the region whose venom is highly “neurotoxic.”<\/p>\n
\u200bDr. Alao explained that neurotoxic bites cause rapid respiratory paralysis. While antivenom is essential for neutralizing the poison, it cannot instantly reverse damage already done to the nerves controlling breathing. In such cases, patients often require ventilatory support (mechanical ventilation)<\/b> in an ICU, rather than just the serum alone.<\/p>\n
\u200bCorrecting the Media Narrative<\/b><\/p>\n
The report took aim at viral commentary from journalists on popular morning shows who questioned the hospital\u2019s decision to remove a hand tourniquet and administer the antivenom intravenously (IV).<\/p>\n
\u200bSystemic Gaps and Journalistic Responsibility<\/b><\/p>\n
While defending the medical science, the report did acknowledge valid public concerns regarding the speed of emergency triage and the availability of ICU-level beds in Abuja\u2019s tertiary hospitals.<\/p>\n
\u200bHowever, Dr. Alao warned that “irresponsible journalism” and sensational claims without expert consultation only serve to amplify public mistrust and could deter people from seeking proper medical care in the future.<\/p>\n
\u200bThe Path Forward<\/b><\/p>\n
The expert called for:<\/p>\n
\u200b”Nanyah’s death is a painful reminder that snakebite… remains deadly when systems fail,” the report concluded. “Let her memory drive meaningful change: stronger emergency responses, accountability, and accurate information.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Medical expert clarifies why antivenom alone isn’t always enough and debunks viral claims regarding tourniquets and treatment errors. \u200bABUJA, NIGERIA … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/media.premiumtimesng.com\/wp-content\/files\/2026\/02\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-04-at-07.42.54-1.jpeg?fit=828,885&ssl=1","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22,4],"tags":[19],"class_list":["post-3485","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-african-news","category-health","tag-general-africa-top-news"],"yoast_head":"\n