FG warns against using Aspirin to purify water

The National Economic Council has warned against the use of Aspirin to purify water, saying that could damage the human immune system.

The PUNCH reports that Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, is a medication used to treat pain, reduce fever or inflammation.

Apart from the alleged use of Aspirin to purify water, the NEC also warned Nigerians against the use of Paracetamol to cook meat.

The warnings were contained in the report of the NEC meeting held on Thursday and posted on the official website of Nigeria’s Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on Friday.

The council meeting was chaired by Osinbajo with membership drawn from Governors of the 36 states, the FCT Minister and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Part of the report read, “Also briefing NEC on Polio Eradication and Improved Routine Immunisation in Nigeria, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Emmanuel Ehanire, said Nigeria is on course to attaining polio-free status by June 2020, noting that the country has not recorded any new case of polio infection in the last three and half years.

“He said there are incidences of Lassa Fever in some states namely; Edo, Kano, Ondo, Ebonyi and Taraba resulting in 84 cases and 15 deaths, noting that the National Centre for Disease Control has been alerted and is on top of the situation.

“Ehanire reported to council that the use of Paracetamol to cook meat and the consequences that come with it as well as the use of Aspirin to purify water are deadly practices that damage major body organs, warning that these practices should be avoided.

“The Health Minister also briefed the Council on the Coronavirus that emerged in China, which has spread to four border countries such as the United States of America, Thailand, Japan, and Korea.”