By SUNTV Global Channel | February 5, 2026
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has raised alarm over the spread of medical misinformation following the reported death of fast-rising singer, Ifunaya Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah, who died from complications linked to a snake bite in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its national leadership under President Dr. Mohammad Usman, NARD said it was deeply troubled by what it described as inaccurate and misleading claims circulating in the media and on social platforms after the tragic incident.
While acknowledging public outrage over the loss of a young life, the association warned that the spread of false medical information could endanger lives and unfairly target frontline healthcare workers already operating under severe constraints.
“The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has followed with deep concern the public discourse surrounding the tragic death of the young singer, Ifunaya, reportedly from complications of a snake bite at a hospital in Abuja,” the statement read.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and fans. The loss of a young life under such circumstances is painful and unacceptable.”
Doctors Reject Claims Aired on National TV
NARD specifically faulted claims allegedly made during a recent broadcast of TVC Breakfast, where statements were reportedly presented as standard medical procedures for snake bite management.
According to the doctors, such claims were medically inaccurate and risked misleading the public when aired on a national platform.
“Misinformation of this nature, when broadcast widely, risks misleading the public and unfairly maligning frontline healthcare workers,” the association warned.
Snake Bite First Aid: What Medicine Actually Says
Addressing one of the most debated claims, NARD clarified that tying or constricting a snake-bitten limb is no longer recommended in modern medical practice.
“Contrary to claims made on the programme, tying or constricting a snake-bitten limb has long been abandoned,” NARD said.
“Evidence shows it can worsen tissue injury, increase the risk of necrosis, and does not meaningfully prevent venom spread. Current evidence-based guidelines strongly discourage this practice.”
The association also pushed back against assertions that the use of intravenous (IV) fluids was inappropriate, stressing that IV fluids are often life-saving in snake bite cases.
“The administration of intravenous fluids is not only appropriate but often critical, especially in cases involving shock, hemotoxic effects, dehydration, or systemic complications,” the statement noted.
NARD described claims suggesting IV fluids are merely “treatment for malaria” as misleading, explaining that they are a basic supportive intervention used across many medical emergencies.
Antivenom Shortages, Systemic Failure
The resident doctors emphasized that snake antivenom remains the definitive treatment for snake envenomation, warning that delays or lack of access could be fatal.
“Timely availability of antivenom can mean the difference between life and death,” NARD said.
However, the association lamented the persistent shortage of antivenom and other essential medicines in Nigerian hospitals, describing it as a systemic failure rooted in poor health financing, procurement, and supply chain management.
“Frontline healthcare workers operate daily under extremely constrained conditions—often without essential drugs, adequate equipment, or sufficient staffing—yet continue to provide care to the best of their training and ability,” the statement added.
NARD cautioned against blaming doctors and nurses for outcomes driven by systemic deficiencies, calling such actions unjust and counterproductive.
Call for Responsible Reporting, Health Reform
The association urged media organisations to consult qualified medical experts when discussing health-related issues and to prioritise accurate, responsible reporting.
“Health reporting should educate, not inflame public sentiment,” NARD stated.
It also called on government authorities to ensure consistent access to life-saving medicines, particularly in snake-endemic regions, stressing that preventable deaths should spark constructive health system reforms, not sensationalism.
“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,” NARD concluded.
The warning comes days after the Nigerian Senate raised concerns over the widespread absence of life-saving antidotes in hospitals nationwide, urging state governments and the Federal Capital Territory Administration to establish coordinated emergency referral systems to improve rapid access to critical medicines.
