FG faults don”s HIV/AIDS cure claim

The Federal Government has faulted the claim by Professor Maduike Ezeibe for the discovery of a cure for HIV/AIDs. The discovery by Ezeibe, a researcher in Veterinary Medicine of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Abia State, was a fortnight ago announced by the Vice Chancellor of the university, Francis Otunta. But the Minister of Health, […]

The Federal Government has faulted the claim by Professor Maduike Ezeibe for the discovery of a cure for HIV/AIDs.

The discovery by Ezeibe, a researcher in Veterinary Medicine of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Abia State, was a fortnight ago announced by the Vice Chancellor of the university, Francis Otunta.

But the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, told State House reporters on Wednesday that the research was carried out without any valid ethical approval.

The minister said: "On the issue of HIV (cure claim), we are yet to get the final report from the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research.

"But what is clear is that those activities were carried out without a valid ethical approval. As you might be aware, nobody is allowed to carry out any expedient or research on human beings without an ethical approval.

"At the National Health Research Committees level, there is no evidence that this researcher sought and obtained ethical approval. But at the appropriate time, we will disclose the full report."