FG questions researchers over claims of traditional HIV cure

The Federal Government has expressed doubts over claims by some Nigerian researchers that they have discovered a cure for HIV/AIDS.

The government urged researchers, especially those claiming to have a traditional cure for the ailment, to provide more information and evidence to support their claims.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Prof. Martins Emeje, made the observation on Tuesday in Abuja during a national dialogue on rethinking natural medicine with the theme “Support the Provision of Quality and Safe Traditional Medicine Through Appropriate Regulatory Mechanisms.”

Some Nigerian researchers have, in the last two decades, claimed to have discovered a cure for the life-threatening disease. First, it was popular surgeon Dr. Jeremiah Abalaka who, for the last 20 years, has consistently claimed to have found a cure for HIV, but that the Western world was undermining his efforts because developed countries were making a lot of money off the sale of antiretroviral drugs.

In 2017, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) dismissed the claim of Professor Maduike Ezeibe, a Professor of Veterinary Medicine and Clinical Virology at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Abia State.

The Guardian in April reported that a Nigerian researcher in phyto-medicine and Director of the Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Abuja, Dr. Ben Amodu, claimed he invented a cure for HIV/AIDS.

Amodu, who is also the Managing Director of the African Alternative Medicines Hospital, argued that diseases termed incurable can now be cured, insisting that this is based on results from various patients within and outside the country who were treated with herbs.

The DG of NNMDA, however, said many people claimed to have cures without providing evidence or collaborating with the scientific community, saying that anyone “who has a cure for HIV, come forward and present your research to peers and experts.”

Describing the claim that the government has refused to support local researchers who have made such a discovery as malicious, Emeje, who acknowledged the potential of traditional medicines in fighting the disease, stressed that any claims must be proven through rigorous scientific investigation, not just wishful thinking.

He said: “You see, the problem is when we begin to claim that we can cure things we don’t even understand, because there are many people who claim to cure things they don’t know.

“How did you know that it is HIV? Can you just come and present to people and your peers? Research is not a cult. Science is a systematic body of knowledge. So if you come out and you say, this is what you have done, people will ask simple questions, and you will be able to do what you are supposed to do. But if you stay away, or you hide, and you are just there, talking to the media, writing articles, doing interviews with the electronic media that you have discovered something and they don’t want to support you, nobody is going to support what they cannot understand.

“And for goodness sake, this country has more than 1,000 research institutions, colleges of education, polytechnics, and universities. So how did you discover something that there is no one research institution in this country that you are even working with? These are questions that need to be answered. I believe that if you have done anything that is useful, there are ways that we can go about it.

“The truth is that it is possible that we have a cure for HIV from our traditional medicines, but it’s not by wish. We have to do it properly. That is why an agency like this exists because we have the capacity and capability to do investigation, and to verify and say whether it is true or not.”

Emeje, while reaffirming the agency’s commitment to promoting indigenous medicine and healthcare systems, called for a comprehensive integration of natural remedies into the national healthcare delivery framework.

According to him, by leveraging indigenous knowledge and expertise, Nigeria can develop and manufacture natural medicines and healthcare solutions that are uniquely Nigerian.

He argued that for centuries, Nigerians have relied on nature for healing, using remedies passed down through generations.

Noting that these traditional practices are deeply ingrained in the nation’s identity, Emeje said that the future of Nigeria’s healthcare lies in a re-evaluation of natural medicine, integrating modern science and technology to ensure safety and efficacy.

Speaking, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, said the government is making efforts to boost the nation’s employment generation through the commercialization of Nigerian research results in natural medicines.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu has given the marching order for initiating the commercialization of the research results, while the commercialization of these products is expected to generate 3.8 million jobs.

“Mr. President has challenged me to commercialize our research results, and I am reviewing an NNMDA application to engage the private sector. Approval will soon be granted for the commercialization of 15 products.

“I am proud that NNMDA has the highest number of NAFDAC-listed herbal medicines in Nigeria, reflecting our commitment to evidence-based standards. Under my leadership, I will ensure that regulatory authorities have the data they need to make informed decisions.

“We will also create national medicinal farms to provide quality materials for clinical trials. Additionally, the College of Natural Medicine, now in its second year, offers training to enhance the documentation and regulation of traditional medicine practices,” he said.

Nnaji, while spotlighting the importance of natural medicine, said, “No nation can advance without investing in science and technology.”

He said this recognition has strengthened the government’s commitment to developing natural medicine in the country through various innovative steps and support for relevant institutions.

“Nigerian scientists have demonstrated remarkable resilience and a strong commitment to finding local solutions.

“In my 12 months as Minister, the NNMDA has shown that even with minimal support, research can drive transformative changes.

“Recently, I launched four new oral solid dosage phytomedicines, the first of their kind in the country. The commercialization of these products is expected to generate 3.8 million jobs, impacting multiple sectors from agriculture to education.”

On his part, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Balasubramanian, said Nigeria is on the right path with the development of natural development.

He, however, stressed the importance of Nigerians’ acceptance of the importance of their natural medicine.