As the quest in discovering the cure for HIV continuously goes on, a Nigerian university has shed light in this long dreaded disease. Prof. Francis Otunta, the Vice Chancellor (VC), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, in Umudike, Abia, has recently announced that after years of scientific research by the institution, they have finally discovered a drug that could potentially be used for the treatment and cure of HIV/AIDS. Otunta has added that the groundbreaking discovery would not be possible if it wasn't because of Prof. Maduike Ezeibe, a researcher in the university.
Nigerian University Discovers The Cure For HIV
In one of his statements reported by NAIJ, Prof. Otunta has revealed that Ezeibe has reportedly presented the drug to the University management, Senate and Council, where he was able to explain the processes involved in coming up with the drug as well as the hypotheses that he went through in order for him to arrive at his finding. Additionally, the VC has also explained that Ezeibe had equally presented the drug to his colleagues in the medical field and surprisingly, nobody contradicted his findings. As of the press time, Otunta said that the university is already on the move for the mass production of the said drug, which will be used for further clinical trials on persons living with HIV/AIDS in the country.
The 'Wonder Drug' For HIV
Meanwhile, according to The News, Prof. Ezeibe has revealed that the drug was produced with the help of Aluminum Silicate and Magnesium Silicate (Synthetic Aluminum-Magnesium Silicate). Furthermore, Ezeibe, who is a professor of Veterinary Medicine and Clinical Virology, adds that these two minerals have long been used as medicines for the treatment of various animal and human diseases. In conducting the research, he said that there were 10 persons living with the disease who allegedly volunteered to be the subjects of the study. Consequently, it was found that these respondents were subjected to monthly tests for viral loads and CD4-lymphocyte counts. And considering the drug's antiviral properties and abilities to reach all cells and the lymphocytes, Ezeibe claims that there is no more hiding place for HIV. Ultimately, if the product becomes commercialized, experts have further revealed that the Medicinal Synthetic Aluminum-Magnesium Silicate would become an alternative for petroleum to the Nigerian economy.
