The Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora on Tuesday, debunked reports claiming that the Federal Government is set to commence free DNA tests for Nigerians.
Mamora made the clarification in an interview with The PUNCH while reacting to some Nigerians’ comments on social media that the minister had said government hospitals and clinics would start conducting free DNA tests in June.
The tweets had generated several reactions. While certain individuals expressed joy at the opportunity of exposing paternity fraud, other citizens wondered if the government would be able to finance the free tests.
A tweep, with the username Chijioke, P.HD, was among the first to tweet about a free DNA test attributing the statement to a Health Minister.
He wrote; ‘There will be free DNA test in government owned hospitals from June this year. -Nigerian Health Minister.’
Another tweep, with the username, Maxvayshia, stated; With this news on free conducting of DNA tests in Government Hospitals and Clinics (if implemented), the High Courts are really going to get very busy in the coming months, another user.
However, the minister debunked it saying; “This is a false claim. At no point did I or the minister say this. The claims about free DNA tests are not true.”
