A medical personnel told me that a wealthy white man shared his life time earnings into four places. Dedicated one quarter to combat Tuberculosis (TB) in Africa and a special drug was dispensed to that effect.  This drug is being used by Public Health Centres in all hospitals across Nigeria and freely given to patients.  Suddenly, it became scarce.  On enquiry, same hospital staff on condition of anonymity said that the scarcity was due to FG demand for tax on the drugs, hence it has to be diverted to other nations that do not demand tax. If this is true, it is like forbidding someone to give alms to a dire need beggar.  Must FG make money out of this charity donation or could it be excesses of 'egunje' customs officers?

Any Custom Officer in the house or anybody in better position? help is needed to contact the authoritieses to seek for a waiver since this is a humanitarian service.  TB is more deadly than HIV/AIDS. I understand it to be a catalyst to death of infected HIV/AIDS victim.  I'm not a victim but I have seen a close Father & Mother wiped away by HIV/AIDS.

Critics in the house, this has to do with an assistance to save life, kindly criticise with mercy and proffer solution.

The FG will deny it as usual.

Wonders like ds can only happen in this kind of country.

Please verify your information please spreading false stories!

r u sure? get your facts right before coming to the forum. we've gone past the era of hearsay!
the investigative journalists in the house will certainly go snoop around!

I just spoke with some health correspondents, no one seem to have your information.
Could you send your phone number for an in-depth interview.

this is very sensitive issue rasied and caution is necessary as this is a very sensitive issue.it could lead to anxiety for patients with this health condition and other negative health conditions .so please verify ur information and its source before publishing it. this is not a time to blackmail the federal government or the health ministry. because it is no secret that the health minister is concerned and committed 2 health care. believe it or not but the truth still remains glaring. the federal gov. cannot be so wicked to do that

In a stable Nigeria, I will have agreed to this taxation. But under the current circumstances, this should be categorised as absolute nonsense.

I am sure I will gain nothing at spreading rumors.  Between May and July 2009 I've sourced this drug in the market because there was no drug where my brother was taking treatment, hence the origin of my interview with medical personnel in charge. Therefore my post is to get in touch with a reliable Customs Officer or FG agent that can handle this case.  For those who call it hear say, do I wait until a Newspaper publishes this information, or don't you think the masses even give journalist information? 

My GSM is 07041989743 for any inquiry.

Pathetic

The story hasn't been confirmed, but to me it makes sense because most goods imported into Nigeria are subject to customs tax, and the law may not (yet) have any exception for free drugs.

The FG will deny this as usual.

na wa o

This is more than wa o

If you ever had doubt that the Nigerian Governemnt is without conscience, what more evidence do you need.

nuzo:

The FG will deny it as usual.

They wont deny it, they will give you reason which wont hold water when presented in a primary school debate

Deshola:

Please verify your information please spreading false stories!

Nairaland is a forum and can be used to confirm, after all we have medical and governement pple on teh forum. i have seen them confirm or deny in a number of threads so relax. its a matter of time

Seun:

The story hasn't been confirmed, but to me it makes sense because most goods imported into Nigeria are subject to customs tax, and the law may not (yet) have any exception for free drugs.

Nigeria has some laws concerning free drugs that has been allowing drugs meant for us to go to coutries like Niger, Sudan. there is a clause for country of manufacture, one for year of produce and expiry, and it might also be due to any of our conflicting corporate laws. believe me when I say there is a CONSTITUTIONAL reason somewhere in the mix

captured:

If you ever had doubt that the Nigerian Governemnt is without conscience, what more evidence do you need.

Kindly point out the 'evidence' you refer to. I can't see any, so feel free to enlighten me.

This is one of the stories that flies all around in an attempt to malign the personality of the Minister and the administration of President Yar'Adua. THe first question is; did you confirm this allegation before writing it? Where is the source of the information. I think we should be careful about what we write because we are looking for relevance or popularity in this country. We should write things that will portray us in the right perspective before the international community.

You sure say na true