“NAFDAC has also commissioned scientific research on possible ways of mitigating the health hazards of consuming fruits ripened with carbide. The Agency had been conducting post-marketing surveillance on drugs and on-the-spot enforcement activities, especially at various flash points taken decisive steps such as the sensitisation of the public through different media outlets, enforcement through intelligence and raids in fruit markets that have resulted in seizures and destruction of products”, She said.
On the health hazard posed by the artificial ripening of fruits, Adeyeye said calcium carbide was alkaline in nature and erodes the mucosal tissue in the abdominal region and disrupts intestinal functions. She said consuming such artificially ripened fruits could result in, “sleeping disorders, mouth ulcers, skin rashes, kidney problems and possibly even cancer. Artificially ripened fruits are less juicy than when ripened naturally and have a comparatively shorter shelf life.”
While explaining the form of the illicit acts of drug hawking, Adeyeye said: “Many drug hawkers are knowingly or unknowingly merchants of death who expose essential and life-saving medicines to the vagaries of inclement weather which degrade the active ingredients of the medicine and turn them to poisons thus endangering human lives.
The DG reiterated that the menace of drug hawking poses a serious challenge to Healthcare Delivery System in the country hence NAFDAC’s resolve to totally eradicate the illicit trade.
The Director and Head of Publicity at NAFDAC, Abubakar Jimoh likened the fight against drug abuse, adulteration and food poisoning to that of a social war. According to him, the Media sensitization workshop is part of the NAFDAC’s ongoing prioritization of public health education, as championed by health journalists in Nigeria.
He stated that In 2022, the agency reportedly trained 800 journalists to aid in disseminating crucial health information and by the close of the recent workshop, an additional 700 journalists would have received training. Dr Jimoh urged the media to play a key role in instigating a change in societal attitudes and behaviours, stating that increased sensitization campaigns and media interaction was a revised strategy aimed at educating the public.
The sensitization workshop witnessed the presence of the Media, Market women Security Chiefs, sister Agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
