Deceased NYSC Member: NAFDAC Clarifies Death not Due to Fake or Substandard Medicine
By Biola Lawal
FLOWERBUDNEWS: NAFDAC Director General, Prof Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye has clarified that the recent death of a Youth Corp Member in Enugu State was not due to use of falsified or substandard medicines, contrary to speculation on social media.
In a Public Alert, entitled: UNFORTUNATE DEATH OF NYSC MEMBER: PUTTING THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS DEATH IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE, Prof. Adeyeye stated:
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) wishes to debunk the news making the rounds that the deceased Corp member previously at NYSC Orientation Camp, Agwu, Enugu State, died of effects of substandard and falsified medicines.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the Corp member was brought to the Camp clinic aided by two other Corp members on Wednesday 7th October 2026 at about 9:00pm with symptoms suggestive of severe malaria in a known peptic ulcer disease patient.
He was however stabilised with intramuscular antimalarial and other supportive medications given intravenously. He was placed on bed rest for observation till Thursday morning when he was discharged with oral medications.
He came back unaided on Saturday 10th October with complaints of right thigh pain for which he was asked to see a physiotherapist.
His profuse sweating caught the attention of the medical doctor who measured his blood pressure and found it to be low (80/40mmHg). He was stabilised with intravenous Normal Saline. Serial monitoring showed recurrent episodes of hypotension.
This development, coupled with poor urine output despite adequate fluid resuscitations prompted his referral to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State in an ambulance accompanied by another doctor.
He went into coma at about the time of arriving at UNTH. All efforts at resuscitating him failed.
His friend later informed the Camp clinic doctor that his deceased friend was vomiting for two days after the initial admission at the camp. The doctor was not aware of this development.
It is instructive to note that same medications given to the deceased were also administered to several other patients in the camp who got well after receiving their treatments.
The medical doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare workers at the camp clinic not only prescribed but also used the medications by themselves at different times.
The doctors believed that the cause of death was acute kidney injury secondary to severe dehydration and shock.
In the meantime, NAFDAC officers have visited the clinic, interviewed the doctors and other staff and taken samples of the medications for further necessary actions which includes laboratory analysis.
NAFDAC commiserates with the family of the late Youth Corp member and prays that God grants the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
The general public is enjoined to remain calm as the Agency is taking all necessary steps to ensure that all medicines made available to the public are safe, of good quality and efficacious.
For complaints and enquiry consumers are advised to call the NAFDAC Call Centre on the following lines: 0800-1-623322, 0700-1-623322 or email: reforms@nafdac.gov.ng, the Director General urged the public. (FLOWERBUDNEWS)
