By NEWSCOUNT Desk
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced an investigation into the death of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Etimbuk Daniel, at the orientation camp in Awgu, Enugu State, following allegations that substandard or falsified medicines may have been involved.
The agency, however, has cautioned against drawing conclusions about the cause of death pending the outcome of its investigation.
In a statement issued on Monday by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC disclosed that its officers had visited the camp clinic, interviewed the medical personnel who attended to the deceased and other staff, and collected samples of the medicines administered to him for laboratory analysis.
According to the agency, Daniel was taken to the camp clinic on Wednesday, October 7, with symptoms suggestive of severe malaria. He also had a history of peptic ulcer disease.
He was reportedly stabilised with an antimalarial drug and other supportive treatment before being placed under observation and discharged the following morning with oral medications.
However, Daniel returned to the clinic on Saturday, October 10, complaining of pain in his right thigh. The attending doctor reportedly became concerned when he noticed that the corps member was sweating profusely and found his blood pressure to be critically low at 80/40mmHg.
NAFDAC said the medical team administered intravenous fluids, but subsequent monitoring showed repeated episodes of low blood pressure. His urine output also remained poor despite fluid replacement, prompting his referral to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State.
The corps member reportedly slipped into a coma around the time he arrived at the teaching hospital, and efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
The agency said preliminary clinical assessment pointed to acute kidney injury secondary to severe dehydration and shock as the suspected cause of death.
It stressed, however, that the preliminary findings did not establish whether the medicines administered to Daniel contributed to the fatal outcome.
NAFDAC stated that laboratory analysis of the collected samples would help determine the quality of the medicines and guide any further regulatory action considered necessary.
The agency also urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid speculation while the investigation continues, expressing condolences to the family of the deceased.
Daniel was the immediate past President of the Students’ Union Government of Akwa Ibom State University and was undergoing the compulsory NYSC orientation programme when he died.
The Senate had earlier ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death and the state of medical facilities and emergency healthcare services at NYSC orientation camps nationwide.
The legislative probe is expected to examine the circumstances of the incident and identify possible lapses in healthcare delivery to corps members.
NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to ensuring that medicines available in Nigeria meet the required standards of safety, quality and efficacy.
