A health professional has blamed widespread medical misinformation for public misunderstanding surrounding the death of young Nigerian singer, Ifunanya Nwangene, who reportedly died from a snakebite, stressing the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of public health education in Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview, clinician Dr Stella Kokondo Essien explained that proper first-aid response following a snakebite is crucial and should focus on immobilising the affected limb and transporting the victim to a hospital immediately, rather than resorting to unsafe traditional practices.

She cautioned against the common practice of tightly tying cloths or tourniquets around bitten limbs, noting that such actions do not prevent the spread of venom and can result in severe tissue damage.

“The first step is to immobilise the affected limb and avoid excessive movement. Do not apply a tourniquet. The patient should be stabilised and taken to the nearest hospital as quickly as possible,” she said.

“Completely stopping blood flow to a limb can lead to irreversible damage. Even simple splinting to keep the limb still would be far safer than constricting it.”

Dr Essien also addressed public outrage over the victim’s hospital treatment, particularly claims circulating online that intravenous (IV) fluids, commonly referred to as a ‘drip’, hastened the spread of venom in her body.

She described such claims as medically inaccurate, explaining that the venom had already entered the bloodstream and that IV fluids were necessary to stabilise the patient and support the body while antivenom treatment took effect.

“That is not true. The venom was already in the system. The IV fluids were meant to dilute, stabilise and support the body while the antivenom worked,” she clarified.

According to medical research, many snake venoms, especially those from cobras, attack the muscles responsible for breathing, making prompt hospital care critical to prevent respiratory failure.

Dr Essien noted that in Ifunanya’s case, delayed hospital arrival and excessive movement after the bite—particularly since it occurred on her hand, close to the heart—may have worsened her condition and accelerated venom circulation.

“Venom paralyses the muscles involved in breathing. That is why supportive care, including IV fluids, is routinely administered alongside antivenom,” she said.

She warned that running, struggling or moving excessively after a snakebite increases blood circulation and spreads venom faster, especially when the bite is on an upper limb.

“With all that movement, the poisoning process is sped up,” she added.

The medical expert called for a major reform of Nigeria’s public health information space, arguing that the controversy surrounding the singer’s death highlights deeper issues of medical misinformation and poor public awareness.

She warned that unverified medical advice shared online can mislead relatives and first responders during emergencies, potentially leading to fatal outcomes, and urged the public and media commentators to rely on qualified medical professionals for accurate information.

“Emergency medical decisions are guided by established clinical protocols, not social media myths,” she said.

“People need to verify information before making public statements. Saying that the IV fluids administered were harmful is wrong. Nigeria urgently needs a structured and sustained public health education campaign.”

She further clarified that IV fluids are not a cure for illnesses but are primarily supportive, especially when patients are unable to eat or are vomiting.

“IV fluids are not a treatment for malaria or any specific disease. They are used to support the body during critical care,” she explained.