By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
5- MAR- 2026

Nigeria’s foremost drug regulatory body, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has issued a public safety warning concerning the circulation of counterfeit and illegally imported versions of the VISITECT HIV Advanced Disease Test Kits within the country.

In a Public Alert tagged No. 011/2026, the agency cautioned healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public to remain vigilant following reports that fake and unregistered variants of the diagnostic kits are being distributed through unauthorised channels. According to the regulatory authority, the Marketing Authorisation Holder for the product, EURO SPECS International Nigeria Limited, confirmed the presence of these counterfeit or parallel-imported versions currently making their way into the Nigerian market.

The VISITECT CD4 Advanced Disease assay is a rapid diagnostic device designed to detect severe HIV infection by identifying patients with critically low CD4 levels—below 200 cells per microlitre of blood. The test is particularly valuable in low-resource medical environments because it delivers results within approximately 40 minutes without the need for complex laboratory instruments, thereby enabling healthcare workers to quickly identify patients who require urgent advanced medical care.

However, NAFDAC revealed that the fake products currently in circulation bear misleading labeling information. Notably, the counterfeit kits reportedly display a shelf-life of three years, marked from August 2024 to January 2027, whereas the officially approved shelf-life by the agency is only eighteen months. This discrepancy has raised serious concerns regarding the authenticity, safety, and reliability of the falsified products.

In light of the development, NAFDAC has urged hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and other healthcare facilities across the country to immediately audit their medical inventories and verify the authenticity of any VISITECT HIV Advanced Disease Test Kits in their possession.

The agency further encouraged healthcare providers and members of the public to promptly report any suspected counterfeit or compromised medicines and medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office. Reports can also be made through the agency’s dedicated hotline or via email to ensure swift regulatory action against those responsible for distributing the fake products.

NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health and warned that strict enforcement measures will continue against individuals and organisations found culpable in the manufacture, importation, or distribution of counterfeit medical products in Nigeria.

A nurse has been sentenced to 18 months in prison and was ordered to serve two years of extended supervision after engaging in a s+xual relationship with a patient and later falsely accusing him of s+xual a§§ault.

Melissa Knutson was convicted of misconduct in public office and obstructing an officer over the incident, which occurred in 2022 while she was working with the Monroe County Drug Court. She was responsible for administering Viv+trol, a medication used to treat substance ab¥se, to the patient.

According to prosecutors, when authorities began investigating the inappropriate relationship, Knutson alleged that the patient had s+xually a§§aulted her, claiming she stayed silent out of f£ar that he might h@rm her or her family.

However, text messages later obtained by investigators showed that she initiated the relationship and even vowed to deny everything if they were exposed. She later admitted the a§§ault claim was fabricated in an attempt to avoid the consequences.

Joy William, a US-based Nigerian registered nurse, has claimed that she earns in just two hours what a Nigerian doctor makes in an entire month.

She stated this via X on Monday, February 16, 2026 while addressing Nigerian doctors who “look down on nurses”

“For those of you Nigerian Dr who look down on Nurses just know that as a Registered Nurse, 2 hours is only what it takes me to earn what a Nigerian Doctor will earn in one month, she wrote.

“No long epistle, just a reminder that sometimes your destiny is heavily tied to your location.

“Same hard work. Same intelligence. Completely different reward.

“If life gives you the opportunity to grow, relocate, or level up… take it. Comfort zones rarely change bank accounts.

“Respect to every professional grinding back home, but never apologize for choosing a life that expands you.”