By Abujah Racheal

The International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN),
hosted a pivotal symposium on advancing care and research for patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

The research centre showcased the advances at its second Annual Scientific Seminar at the IHVN campus on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that since its establishment in 2015, the IRCE had been playing significant roles in advancing
research in Nigeria, leveraging IHVN’s infrastructure and expertise.

The IRCE’s ongoing efforts include more than 40 funded research grants targeting infectious and non-infectious diseases, underscoring the
centre’s commitment to addressing health challenges through high-quality, culturally sensitive research.

This year’s event with the theme — “Expanding Partnerships in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Cancer Research”, had an array of local and
international experts to discuss latest advancements in the diagnosis, care, treatment and innovative research in critical health areas.

In his presentation, Dr Mark Gladwin, an American Physician Scientist and Dean of University of Maryland School of Medicine,
highlighted the impact of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) and end-organ failure in adults with SCD, a critical concern in current medical research.

He explained how chronic hemolytic anaemia in SCD patients leads to vascular damage, causing complications such as PH.

He presented extensive research data, including groundbreaking findings on the role of cell-free haemoglobin and its detrimental effects on
blood vessels and smooth muscle relaxation, exacerbating the risk of PH.

He quoted a featured cutting-edge study from Dr Prithu Sundd’s laboratory, showcasing how oxidative haemoglobin triggers Neutrophil Extracellular
Traps (NETs) in pulmonary arterioles, further complicating SCD management.

“This research suggested that NETs, circulating from other organs, contribute significantly to lung damage in SCD patients.

“The SCD-CARRE trial explores the efficacy of Red Blood Cell (RBC) exchange transfusion as an intervention to limit disease progression
and improve outcomes in high-risk SCD patients.

“Preliminary findings suggest that this therapy may reduce vaso-occlusive crises and acute chest syndrome, both of which are major contributors
to pulmonary complications.”

He emphasised the importance of defining high-risk subgroups among SCD patients, noting that those with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or elevated
biomarkers like TRV and NT-proBNP are at particularly high risk of mortality.

Dr Patrick Dakum, the Chief Executive Officer of IHVN, highlighted the strategic direction of IHVN, emphasising the importance of expanding partnerships
that include both public and private sectors, as well as faith-based organisations.

He said “partnerships are crucial to the broader health sector under the national healthcare plan.”

Dakum underscored IHVN’s commitment to expanding research in cancer and SCD.

He said “the collaboration with international institutions like University of Maryland and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authourity is essential
for research and capacity building in these areas.”

He also stressed the importance of a public-private mix in research initiatives, aiming to leverage the strength of both sectors to achieve comprehensive
and effective outcomes in healthcare.

He said that the appointment of a special adviser on SCD by the Coordinating Minister of Health signals a significant shift in government attention
toward neglected diseases, including sickle cell.

“This move is portrayed as crucial step in ensuring that such diseases receive the necessary focus and resources,” he said.

He pointed out that a framework was being established to increase attention to neglected diseases, with SCD being a prime example.

The IHVN boss added that “the appointment of a special adviser on SCD is seen as a promising development that could lead to
comprehensive and sustained efforts in addressing the disease.”

Earlier, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, the Executive Director, IHVN’s IRCE, stressed the need to bring SCD, particularly as it disproportionately
affects black people, into the limelight, alongside cancer.

Abimiku said that both conditions were under-recognised in terms of prevention and treatment.

She acknowledged the difficulties faced by low and middle-income countries in prioritising health issues, suggesting that critical conditions
like SCD and cancer could be overlooked amid many challenges.

She pointed out that as a country, Nigeria needs to do better in focusing on cancer prevention, including diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors,
rather than just treating the disease after it occurs.

“There is mention of the government setting up additional cancer treatment centres and diagnostic facilities, highlighting efforts to
improve cancer care in the country,” she said.

She expressed the hope that events like the symposium would bring more attention to SCD, which was particularly devastating to
young people in Nigeria and even around the globe.

She noted the importance of partnerships with institutions like the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD)
to conduct clinical trials and to discover a cure for the disease.

She said that the Coordinating Minister of Health’s task force on SCD is a reflection of Federal Government’s commitment to increase
awareness about the disease.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Stella Kabruk

Three firms – AMA Medical Manufacturing Company, Echitab Study Group Nigeria and Micropharm Ltd., UK – on Tuesday signed an MOU for the production of Anti-Snake Venom(ASV) drugs in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that the event, held at the AMA medical manufacturing company in Kudenda, Kaduna, signified a huge step in the nation’s efforts to produce the drugs locally.

Over the years, the drugs had been produced in Liverpool, UK, and Costa Rica with Nigeria having to take the live snakes to the producers who would kill them and remove the venoms.

The venoms are, thereafter, used to produce the ASV drugs which are, then taken to Nigeria.

The process has proved very tedious and expensive with the drugs usually very scarce and very expensive when available.

Efforts to get government to establish a firm to produce the drugs had proved fruitless with the victims of snakebite, mostly farmers, herders, hunters and other rural dwellers bearing the scourge that kills thousands every year.

Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony, Prof. Nasidi Abdulsalami, Chairman, AMA medical manufacturing company, said that the Mou was a huge leap that would help the country.

Abdulsalami said that the MOU represented a good initiative for public private partnership “which looks forward to the full participation of the federal and state governments, and other Nigerians”.

“We expect meaningful Nigerians that are blessed to contribute because it is a social investment aimed at saving lives.

“The ASV drugs are life saving products. We can never allow the drugs to vanish because Nigerians need them, especially the farmers and herders.

“The MOU signing today serves as the beginning of self-sufficiency for the product not only in the country, but the entire continent because countries look up to Nigeria for good leadership.

“I am proud to announce that the World Health Organisation has tested all the ASV drugs available in the world and found out that our ASV, for which we are developing this partnership today with micropharm, is the best.

“Micropharm products that are produced in the UK are the best; the second is the one produced by Costa Rica.”

He expressed gratitude for the collaboration, adding that the decades of suffering and helplessness because of the paucity of ASV drugs had come to an end.

“For 22 years, we worked hard to actualise the local production of ASV drugs. That dream has become real today.

“We want to have Echitab drugs available, affordable and sustainable,” he said.

Abdulsalami commended Dr Nandul Durfa, the Managing Director of Echitab Study Group Nigeria, for remaining steadfast and committed to the goal of ensuring the local production of ASV drugs in Nigeria.

“Today’s feat is an achievement we should all celebrate. Finally, we shall find a solution to a problem that has been disturbing us for long,” he said.

Mr Lan Cameroon, Chief Executive Officer of Micropharm, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for the signing of the MOU, and regretted the persistent scarcity of ASV drugs in the country.

He said that the quest for ASV drugs in the country started in the early 1970s when Prof. David Wanns of ABU, Zaria took a live snake from Nigeria to Liverpool where the first venom was removed for first production.

“In 1991, more than 30 years ago, Prof. Nasidi contacted a company in Kano which produced the first ASV drug, but it had side effects and had to be taken back to the laboratory to be purified.

“When it was brought back for another clinical test, there was no money and he made all efforts to see that it was done. The efforts took him to Micropharm which formed the success of the production.

He said that with the production of the ASV drugs in the country, the cost would drastically go down and the facility would be readily available.

Mr Marc Nassar of Von hram, in his remarks, said that the MOU would bring new technology into the country.

He said that his organisation was one of the best managers of technology and was the first to bring technology in the existing AMA plant.

He expressed hope that the collaboration would bring expertise to work.

Durfa, Echitab Study Group managing director, in his remarks, expressed happiness that Nigeria would soon have locally produced ASV drugs.

He said that the struggle had been long and tedious with a glimmer of hope in 2006 when then President Olusegun Obasanjo approved some money for the project.

“Unfortunately, the money did not come. We made a lot of efforts and approached successive governments, but all came to nought.”

He said that the local production would make the drugs cheap and available as the high cost of foreign currency had always made the cost of the finished products from overseas outrageous to the victims that are mostly poor.

Durfa commended AMA medical manufacturing company for offering to accept the challenge of producing ASV drugs, and promised to put in everything to ensure the partnership was successful.

“We shall work to ensure that the drug is available to Nigerians at all times,” he said.

NAN reports that the MOU was signed by Prof. Nasidi abdulsalami for AMA medical, Lan Cameroon for micropharm, and Marc Nassar for Echitab Study Group Nigeria (NAN)

Edited by Ephraim

By Abujah Racheal

The International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN)h has concluded arrangements to host its second Annual Scientific Symposium at the IHVN Campus in Abuja.

The institute’s Senior Communications Manager, Ms Uzoma Nwofor, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NAN reports that since its establishment in 2015, the IRCE has been playing pivotal roles in advancing research in Nigeria, leveraging IHVN’s infrastructure and expertise.

The IRCE’s ongoing efforts include more than 40 funded research grants targeting both infectious and non-infectious diseases, underscoring the centre’s commitment to address health challenges through high-quality, culturally sensitive research.

Nwofor stated that this year’s event with the theme “Expanding Partnerships in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Cancer Research” is scheduled for

Aug. 14 to Aug. 15, to convene an array of local and international experts to discuss latest advancements in the diagnosis, care, treatment

and innovative research in critical health areas.

She added that “the symposium will feature prominent figures such as Prof. Mark T. Gladwin, the Dean of the University of Maryland School

of Medicine (UMB-SOM), and Prof. Taofeek K. Owonikoko, the Executive Director, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum

Comprehensive Cancer Centre (UMGCCC).

“Both will be accompanied by senior faculty from UMB-SOM, many of whom are actively involved in research initiatives in Nigeria.

“Nigerian experts, including Dr Obi Adigwe, Director-General, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD),

and Prof. Obigeli Nnodu, will also share insights alongside representatives from the pharmaceutical industry.”

The senior communications manager also stated that Prof. Gladwin, a leading authourity in pulmonary hypertension and sickle cell disease,

would be a special guest.

“His (Prof. Gladwin) groundbreaking research in hemolysis-associated endothelial dysfunction has significantly advanced the understanding of complications

in sickle cell patients, paving the way for improved treatments.

“He is currently leading a Phase II clinical trial aimed at enhancing blood transfusion techniques to extend survival in sickle cell patients.”

She also noted that Prof. Owonikoko, a Nigerian-born physician specialised in thoracic oncology and translational research, would contribute to the discussions.

“As a key figure in oncology at UMSOM and University of Maryland Medical Centre, his work bridges critical research between the U.S. and Nigeria,” she added.

She quoted IHVN’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Patrick Dakum, as emphasising the significance of the symposium in marking IHVN’s 20th anniversary.

“IHVN has made remarkable strides in combating HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria over the past two decades. We are excited to extend our partnership

to other public health challenges like SCD and cancer,” Dakum said.

Nwofor also quoted the institute’s Executive Director, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, who highlighted IHVN’s impact, noting that “this year’s symposium

builds on the foundation laid in the previous year by extending collaborations to SCD and cancer — two health challenges significantly affecting the

black population.”

She stated that the symposium will feature presentations, discussions and exhibitions from industry partners, fostering an environment of

collaboration, aimed at improving healthcare services and research capacity in Nigeria.

Nwofor reiterated that the annual event serves as platform for promoting research on public health issues of both local and global relevance.

(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Folasade Akpan

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, says pandemics transform the world and that of COVID-19 is already underway.

Pate said this on Thursday in Abuja at the launch of a book titled “An Imperfect Storm”.

The book was written by Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, former Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and his wife, Mrs Vivianne Ihekweazu.

According to Pate, traditionally, pandemics have almost always resulted in transformation of societies.

“Right from the ancient Greek periods, pandemics resulted in major transformations.

“The Greeks suffered from it, the Romans suffered from it. The plague, thousands of years ago, resulted in transformations, HIV resulted in some transformation.

“Now we have experienced COVID, and it is transforming the world. It’s a one in a hundred year pandemic, and the transformation is already underway.

“We are emerging into a world of greater facility, economic upheavals, but also acceleration in encounters with new pathogens,” he added.

While citing cases of different pandemics that the world experienced from the 1990s to the present time, the minister said that pandemics are here to stay.

“What it tells us is that we are marching our way into a world where new pathogens are crossing over, and they encounter the next crisis. It could be anywhere for us to see, so it’s not if but when.”

He, however, commended Ihekweazu for his work in building NCDC and championing the containment of COVID-19 in Nigeria, adding “it is going to be one of the significant hallmarks in our effort to respond when the next storm shows up”.

One of the authors, Mr Ihekweazu, said that it was very important to strengthen health response in order to be able to handle pandemics when they come.

Citing an example with Nigeria’s handling of the Ebola virus in 2014, he said that the country, using various approaches was much sensitised to the emergence of the disease and had a good response to it.

He, however, said the experience caused the nation a lot of harm.

“The harm it has caused us is that we spent the next five years celebrating our heroic Ebola response and so by the time I started at NCDC in 2016, there was nothing left because we believed we had done a great job.

“We had no national reference plan, so everything we had put together for the response was gone.

“In reflecting on how we emerged from this, I think the challenge for us, whether we have a good response or a bad response, it’s not to think we have nothing to worry about, it’s to continue.

“We have started and documented progress, but our collective challenge is to make sure that when the next one comes, and it will come, that the NCDC is not where it is today.”

The co-author, Mrs Ihekweazu said that the book was not just about sharing the story so others could learn about what they did at the time, but to also tell the story.

“Sharing that story is very important because it’s not just about how we responded or how others can learn what we do, but we have to learn to tell our stories,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book, which is the authors personal narrative of Nigeria’s COVID-19 response, is aimed at supporting public sector leadership and all those participating in building institutions and organisations.

In attendance at the launch were the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, former Minister of State for Health, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora, and Dr Sani Aliyu, former National Coordinator, Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19.

Others are former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Delta, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and the D-G of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Angela Atabo/Aderogba George

Abuja, Aug.1, 2024 (NAN) Experts in the health sector have advocated digital innovations for efficient healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

The stakeholders made the call at the Insights Learning Forum, eHealth Africa on Wednesday, in Abuja .

The forum, with the theme “Digital Innovation in Public Health Practice”, gathered key stakeholders and innovators to discuss the impact and future of digital solutions in the health sector.

The Director of Partnerships and Programmes eHealth Africa, Ota Akhigbe, said the forum was aimed at harnessing insights and ideas from stakeholders across Africa to achieve digital transformation in health outcomes.

Akhigbe underscored the importance of data in driving digital transformation in the health sector.

She, however , said that in doing so, there was a need to ensure that data was not just collected but was used to inform decisions that would improve health outcomes.

Akhigbe said, “This event serves as a platform to advocate for a unified approach to digital transformation, emphasising the importance of integrity in data usage.

“The Federal Government’s body language is very positive and encouraging, and there is political will at both the national and state levels to support and advance digital innovation in healthcare.

“This platform serves as an advocacy tool to raise awareness and engage government agencies, ensuring that these innovations receive the necessary support and funding.

“This collaborative approach between the private sector and government agencies is vital for the successful implementation of digital health solutions.’’

Akhigbe said that the forum, therefore, provided an opportunity for the stakeholders to communicate their needs and expectations to government representatives, ensuring that policies aligned with the sector’s evolving needs.

“The optics of digital solutions is promising, though infrastructure gaps remain.

“ This forum is about identifying converted stakeholders and decision-makers who can help bridge these gaps. By this time next year, we hope to have tangible progress to report,’’she said

The Chief Executive Officer of eHealth Africa Clinics, Adams Thompson, said the transformative potential of digital platforms in breaking down barriers to healthcare access cannot be overemphasised .

Thompson said that although providing innovative digital solutions in healthcare was crucial,however,access alone was not enough.

He acknowledged that a supportive system was necessary to ensure that people received the right diagnosis, treatment, and care they needed.

“We need patient-focused health ,and designing a system that really does put the patient at the centre of the decision making involves so that they get what they want is key.

“There is need for an inclusive healthcare delivery system and all hands must be on deck to achieve that,” he said

Dr David Akpan, Deputy Director of eHealth Africa, said there was a need for digital health innovators and stakeholders to converge and discuss innovative ideas in public health.

Akpan said the aim was to ensure that those in the rural areas have equitable access to healthcare.

He said, “It is important to use a human-centred design approach in addressing the challenges of implementing digital health solutions, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

“We must consider the users during the development phase and pilot innovations to ensure they address real needs and are user-friendly. This approach ensures that solutions are not only innovative but also practical and sustainable.”

“If your grandmother gets sick and the nearest facility is two hours away, digital platforms can make it possible for a doctor to provide a first-hand assessment and prescription.

“This can even facilitate a referral process where she can be picked up from home and taken to a facility.”

Akpan highlighted the importance of a human-centered approach in developing these digital innovations, ensuring that they are tailored to meet the actual needs of the users.

Dr Kabir Suleiman, Incident Manager of the Polio Emergency Operation Centre in Katsina State, said digital innovation had transformed routine data collection from hard copy to electronic formats.

He said embracing digital technology was crucial for strengthening the health system, particularly in areas where traditional methods fall short.

“Digital tools have already shown great impact, especially in disease surveillance. Real-time data sharing and decision-making have transformed our approach to managing health crises,” he said.

Suleiman called on all health stakeholders to embrace these advancements to ensure a more robust and responsive healthcare system.(NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Angela Atabo

Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), an NGO and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), have trained more than 30 legal practitioners on health security legal framework for epidemic preparedness in Nigeria.

The Senior Legal Adviser, RTSL, Mr Cedric Aperce, made this known during a three-day Training of Trainers for Nigerian Legal Officers on Monday in Nasarawa state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the training was in recognition of the essential need for capacity building in health security as revealed by Nigeria’s 2023 Joint External Evaluation.

According to Aperce, the International Health Regulations, imposed on Nigeria some obligations needed to  be embodied into the  national laws and regulations.

“The NCDC has been leading the way with the support of RTSL to develop new legislations at the federal and subnational levels to give effect to these obligations.

“At the end of the day, this will better prepare the country for responding and preventing disease threats and protecting Nigerians.

“In 2019, there was a review of the law of the federation with regards to health security and there are a number of areas like surveillance, responsiveness that are not regulated.

“Since 2019 Nigeria has been working hard to improve its existing laws and has been issuing new regulations and presenting new bills to the National Assembly to improve and support a better health security in the country ,” he said

According to the Legal Adviser of NCDC, Safiya Musa, said the critical role of legal officers in safeguarding public health cannot be overstated and it becomes more compelling during public health events.

Musa Represented by Amira Abubakar, Assistant Legal Adviser NCDC,said that such events have consistently highlighted the intricate interplay between public health imperatives and legal frameworks.

“ As legal officers entrusted with upholding justice and promoting the rule of law, our role in interpreting and implementing public health laws has never been more crucial.

“Nigeria, like many nations, faces unique public health challenges that demand a robust legal framework to protect its citizens from infectious disease outbreaks with cholera currently topping the list to environmental health hazards and regulatory compliance.

“The spectrum of issues we deal with requires a nuanced understanding of both national and international legal standards.

“This training aims to equip you with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate these complexities effectively,’’she said

Musa said that public health law was a new field in Nigeria,as a lot of lawyers in Nigeria were more accustomed to the traditional court practices but with NCDC introducing public health legal preparedness to the space it was a step in the  right direction.

She said that the Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics revealed the importance of a legal framework in Nigeria because with it, there would be guiding laws on what to do.

“With this training, the lawyers would be equipped with drafting regulations to control public activities that promote diseases like cholera among others in the country.’’

Musa added that if laws like the NCDC Act, the Public Health Emergency bill, the National Health Act were amended, Nigeria would stand a better chance at disease control.

Mr Emem Udoh, Legal Adviser, RTSL, Nigeria, said the training was part of the organisation’s support to the Federal Government and Nigeria as a country towards improving the legal framework for health security.

“For RTSL,we have two critical areas we support in the legal work.First is to try to see how we can support countries to improve their legal framework and then secondly to support legal capacity building.

“So this training is aimed at legal capacity building and we are working with more than 30 legal officers from various MDAs in the country who are implementing the international health regulation.

“From what we saw in COVID-19  in 2019,2020,we felt that legal capacity should be built and this is right way to make countries legally prepared for future public health emergencies or pandemic,’’he said

Some of the participants at the training commended RTSL and NCDC for the initiative adding that the training would be cascaded down.

Mr Usman Adamu  from Jigawa State Ministry of Justice, said the programme was apt adding that  events have shown that stronger legislations  were needed to tackle the disease challenges.

Mr Mohamed Shuab, Managing Partner for Resource Centre for Awareness for Good Governance and Development in Kano, said the training would help states to better understand health laws and security.

Shuab also noted that the training will help states strengthen their legal preparedness. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Justina Auta

The House of Representative Committee on Specialty Healthcare has pledged its support to advocate for increased budgetary allocation to improve blood service delivery in the country.

Lawan Ali-Shettima, Deputy Chairman of the committee, stated this during an oversight visit and roundtable discussion with the management of the National Blood Service Commission (NBSC), in Abuja.

Ali-Shettima said the visit was to discuss critical issues, especially their challenges with a view to address them and improve access to safe and quality blood service and products.

“We are looking at the way people are willingly and voluntarily coming to donate blood in this establishment.

“So, I believe with support they will acquire more equipment, more facilities to expand their offices to zonal levels.

“This is what we are suggesting. So we will do our best to see that legislatively we intervene by providing more means of funding for them to get more equipment,” he said.

On his part, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, Director-General, NBSC, said that inadequate funding had affected their operations and access to safe blood services across the country.

According to Yuguda, with more funding, the commission will be able to enhance access to safe and affordable blood components to carter for the needs of the over 200 million Nigerians.

“The major challenges we have across the country is that of equipment and other infrastructure in most of our centres, which are very old.

“We are trying to see if we can liase with the National Assembly, to come to our aid, so that we can get more funding for the commission.

“I believe that with their support, we will be able to achieve that,” he said.

While noting the scarcity of blood during emergencies, led to several deaths, Yuguda encouraged the people to regularly and voluntarily donate blood to save more lives.

The NBSC relies on a pool of regular donations by voluntary, unpaid blood donors,  it currently collects and screens approximately 25,000 units of blood from voluntary donors annually.

Less than five per cent of the total blood donation in Nigeria is being sourced from voluntary donors, with bulk of it on commercial, thus subjecting recipients to the risk of infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis among others.

An estimated 1.23 million units of blood are collected across several facilities each year, 90 per cent of which are from paid commercial donors. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Kemi Akintokun

The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and Kano Independent Research Centre Trust (KIRCT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the country’s research capacity.

The MoU was signed on Monday in Lagos.

Prof. Babatunde Salako, the Director-General of NIMR, said the partnership would support research into home-grown solutions to addressing the various health challenges in the country.

Salako said it would also create a viable platform for both organisations to harness their different capacities and capabilities in the area of research.

“This partnership is key because it will support home-grown solutions which can come from products of research.

“In Africa, most of the solutions we have are not from us; our genetic architecture are not taken into consideration in many drugs and vaccine production.

“We see this as opportunity to harness our different capacities of and make significant impact in the area of drugs and vaccine production,” he said.

Also, Prof. Hamisu Salihu, the Director-General of KIRCT, said the partnership between both organisations would complement the effort of the government on health security.

Salihu said both institutes played significant roles in responding to disease outbreaks in the country, noting that it would expand the bio-medical entity of the country.

According to him, the overall goal of the partnership is to help prevent the next disease outbreak or epidemic in Kano and Nigeria at large

“This agreement with NIMR will benefit the country greatly because we have realised that NIMR is the foremost and well known research institute in the country.

“The KIRCT is also an independent organisation which have the capacity to to expand and it’s supported by the Kano State government and Pfizer pharmaceuticals

“We see them as a priority partner with the track record to push us forward in terms of capacity building, visionary direction on some of the local challenges we face in Kano.”

He explained that diseases including meningitis, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as pregnant women would be given more priority due to their burden in the state and the country as a whole. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu