HIV/AIDS: Health Minister Reacts To Claims that Cure Has Been Found

Prof. Isaac Adewole

According to reports that the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Abia has discovered the cure for HIV/AIDS, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has said he is not aware of it.

It was reported that a Professor of Virology at the institution, Maduike Ezeibe had found the cure for the viral disease but contrary to media interpretation of his claims, Ezeibe said he had only found a “potentiate” for possible manufacturing of HIV drugs.

As reported by the media, the professor had said, “The medicine had been used to “potentiate Ampicillin, Chloroquine, Piperazine and Sulphadimidine, among others…

“Local and international pharmaceutical companies would find the product as a veritable raw material.”

Technically and as defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary, a “potentiate” is used to augment the activity of (as a drug) synergistically. It is used to increase the power, effect, or likelihood of (something, especially a drug or physiological reaction).

as explained by Ezeibe himself, his current product is a “raw material” for HIV drugs if, as he also said, it is “approved by relevant authorities.”

Health Minister Adewole through the Director Media & Public Relations at the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Boade Akinola, said, “I’m not aware of his claims.

“There are standard ways of disseminating such information.

“The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, in conjunction with the College of Medicine University of Ibadan, has been mandated to verify two claims of cure for HIV in Nigeria.

“We shall make our findings public when ready.”