Cure for AIDS? Nigerian professor claims to have discovered cure for dreaded disease
A Nigerian researcher at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, in Abia, Prof. Maduike Ezeibe has reportedly discovered the cure for HIV/AIDS.
Prof. Ezeibe’s discovery was said to be a result of years of scientific research on the dreaded disease which had been deemed incurable.
The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Otunta, said on Wednesday that Ezeibe had presented the drug to the University management, Senate and Council.
Otunta said Ezeibe explained the process behind his discovery when he presented the drug and none of his colleagues in the medical field contradicted his finding.
“Prof. Ezeibe is a researcher in Veterinary Medicine and one may wonder how he discovered a drug to cure a human ailment,”the VC said.
“He has brought honour to the University and we are proud of him.”
The university wants to embark on mass production of the drug for further clinical trials on persons living with the dreaded disease in the country.
Ezeibe, a professor of Veterinary Medicine and Clinical Virology, said that the drug was produced with Aluminum Silicate and Magnesium Silicate (Synthetic Aluminum-Magnesium Silicate).
He said that the two minerals “are already in use as medicines for the treatment of various animal and human diseases.”
Ten infected persons were said to have volunteered to be tested by Prof Ezeibe’s drug. The Prof said that the volunteers were subjected to monthly tests for viral loads and CD4-lymphocyte counts.
“With the antiviral effects of the medicine, its ability to reach all cells (as nanoparticles) and the lymphocytes, there is no more hiding place (sanctuary) for HIV,” he said.
He added that “local and international pharmaceutical companies would find the product as a veritable raw material.”
Ezeibe claimed he presented his findings to the World Virology Conference in Atlanta in 2015, and Antonio (Texas) in 2016. He also said that the results of the laboratory tests were published in many international scientific journals, including the British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research.
Ezeibe pleaded with the Federal Government to help him secure international patency for the drug, saying “If commercialised, the Medicinal Synthetic Aluminum-Magnesium Silicate would become an alternative for petroleum to the Nigerian economy.”
The drug has however not been publicly confirmed or approved by international health organisations.
In response to Prof Ezeibe’s claims, Director Media & Public Relations at the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Boade Akinola said on Thursday that the ministry was unaware of the new discovery.
“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,” she said.
“We shall make our findings public when ready.”
