Times Higher Education UK
Source: Nigerian health authorities destroyed thousands of sanitary towel samples distributed free to students because of false allegations by Muslim fundamentalists that they were contaminated with the HIV virus.
The decision followed a call by the special adviser to the president on women’s affairs for an investigation into claims that students at the northeastern University of Maiduguri were experiencing rashes and itching. One possible cause was thought to be the use of Always pads, produced by Procter & Gamble.
Titi Ajanaku wrote to the Nigeria Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development alleging that tests conducted by Maiduguri General Hospital “on samples of the pad distributed free to undergraduates of University of Maiduguri by agents of the firm have revealed that the pads are infested with the HIV virus”.
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration ordered more tests immediately, which proved there was no contamination of any sort and the rashes and itching that some students experienced were from untreated local water, but not before 142,750 sample packs were destroyed.
Pro-Palestinian Muslim fundamentalist groups were accused of deliberately starting a smear campaign against the US-based multinational manufacturer because they believe American companies are funding Israel.
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