The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has debunked claims from a viral social media video that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, announced a “revolutionary drug” that will “save everyone from diabetes”.
The Ministry in a press release signed by the Head of information and Public relations, Alaba Balogun, has described the video as “false, misleading and maliciously manipulated.”
Balogun stated that the video shows chaotic scenes at pharmacies and police intervention to manage crowds seeking this alleged drug.
The footage also features altered clips of a Channels TV news broadcast and digitally doctored segments of the coordinating minister’s public appearances. He said the claims therein do not originate from the ministry and do not reflect any official position, announcement, or programme of the Federal Government.
The FG’s statement clarified that:
- No such “revolutionary diabetes drug” has been announced or approved for free nationwide distribution.
- The Coordinating Minister has not made any such statement as purported in the doctored video.
- The public is advised to exercise extreme caution, verify information from official sources, and avoid engaging with fraudulent posts that solicit comments or personal details in exchange for medical products.
- Diabetes care and treatment remain part of the ministry’s ongoing non-communicable diseases programme, which is implemented through accredited health facilities in partnership with State Governments and licensed medical professionals.
Balogun noted that the Federal Ministry of Health remains committed to advancing genuine, evidence-based health care solutions and has promised to investigate the source of the false allegations, take necessary actions.
The ministry also urged Nigerians to obtain health information only from credible, verified social media handles, and accredited healthcare providers.
