NAFDAC Rules Out Drug Link in NYSC Member's Death

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed claims that the death of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member at the orientation camp in Agwu, Enugu State, was linked to substandard drugs. Preliminary investigations revealed that the corps member, whose name was not disclosed, exhibited symptoms of severe malaria and later developed complications believed to be acute kidney injury due to severe dehydration and shock.

He was brought to the camp clinic on October 7, 2026, stabilized with antimalarial medication, and discharged the next morning. He returned on October 10, complaining of thigh pain, but was later found to have critically low blood pressure.

Despite stabilization efforts and referral to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), he fell into a coma and could not be resuscitated. NAFDAC noted that the same medications had been administered to other patients who recovered, indicating no established link to the corps member's death.

Further laboratory analysis of the medications is ongoing.