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Govt must prioritise translational research as way out of Nigeria’s health sector weaknesses — Experts

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By Moses Adeniyi

As efforts become urgent to vitalise the Nigerian health  sector, one way out of the wobbling state of affairs is that the government and all relevant stakeholders must pay attention to prioritise and encourage transnational research in the Country; clinical and medical experts have submitted.

In the view of Professor, Anatomy and Molecular Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Professor Fatimah Abdulkareem, translational research is a necessity in Nigeria’s health sector if positive changes are to be seen.

In her Keynote address at the Joint Faculty Day For Faculty of Basic Medical and Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, on Thursday, Abdulkareem explained  that translational research remains very important in improving the health of the populace in the form of diagnostics, therapeutics, medical procedures and devices, among others.

Explaining that it harnesses the use of discoveries from basic science to develop new diagnostics as it consists of multiple steps that are intertwined, with the patient as the focal point, she said it facilitates improved knowledge and skills to basic scientists and clinicians; improved health to the nation through development of effective drugs and treatment; provision of raw materials for the industry through development of new techniques, among others.

She mentioned that barriers to translational research in the Country, among others, have been issues relating to lack of culture of translation, inadequate infrastructure, inadequately trained workforce and difficulty retaining those that possess the necessary skills.

She also identified compartmentalisation of departments within universities and hospitals, as well as cultural divide between scientists and clinicians; lack of protected time to undertake research; reluctance to share information; and complex regulatory processes, among others, as major problems.

She submitted the government must intervene to support training in clinical research to develop the requisite skill for man power development; provide access to equipment and effective information technology systems; promote community outreach and engagement projects, as well as community advisory boards.

Mentioning that, amongst others, these will go a long way as solutions to these barriers, she called for removal of the perceived boundaries between clinical care and research.

On his part, the Dean, Postgraduate School, University of Lagos, Professor Abraham Osinubi, said the future directions for translational research which include artificial intelligence and machine learning, precision medicine, biotechnology and CRISPR-Cas 9, innovations, regenerative medicine, nanomedicine, global collaboration and ethical considerations are very important considerations the  government must collaborate with academic institutions to develop in Nigeria.

He further recommended that each contribution no matter how small has the power to catalyse the change sought and that translational research is a requirement of the 21st century.

In the words of the Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Professor Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, “It is a very unhealthy situation and I am happy that this event is happening today in which emphasis is being laid on translational research. I believe that as we speak, Universities should be more intentional about the kind of publications they would accept from their basic scientists.”

He emphasised that researches should be more translational and applied in nature,  considering that grants from international organizations now favour more researches that are translational in nature.

In his view, the Dean, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Professor Kayode O. Yemitan, said, “Research has proven that what people do on the benchside, it is less than one percent of it  that end up becoming useful and that is not very good at all, especially in Nigeria where our students do a lot of projects every year, but everything just ends up on the shelf.”

He, however, mentioned that a translational committee will be set up to push through any projects by students or members of staff to get to the next stage for implementation.

“Also, some money has been put aside to help scientists in that regard as it will also be multidisciplinary. This is in a bid to help in the concerns raised as regards translational researches to make it beneficial to the patients in the clinic, the communities, and the public, so that everybody will benefit as well,” he added.

He mentioned that medical researches are part of United Nations Millennium Development Goals important to develop the health goals of the nation

The Joint Faculty Day for Faculty of Basic Medical and Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences with the theme: “Translational Biomedical Research: A Catalyst for National Growth and Development” in LASUCOM, had in attendance the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello; the Provost, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Professor Abiodun Adewuya; the Dean, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Professor Kayode O. Yemitan; the Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Professor Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo who was the Special Guest; Professor, Anatomy and Molecular Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Professor Fatimah Biade Abdulkareem who was the keynote speaker; Dean, Postgraduate School, University of Lagos, Professor Abraham Osinubi who was also a guest lecturer.

Also were, the Head, Centre for Human Virology and Genomics, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR);  Dr Chika Onwuama; the Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Prof L.C. Ajonuma; other Heads of Departments and Units, Staff and students of LASUCOM and LASUTH, and visitors from sister institutions.

Health

Outbreak: Zamfara Govt. confirms 4 deaths, 177 cases

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The Zamfara Commissioner for Health, Dr Aisha Anka has confirmed the outbreak of unknown illness in the state which recorded four deaths and 177 cases so far.

Anka confirmed this in a statement issued in Gusau on Friday by the Information Officer of the ministry, Malam Bello Ibrahim.

According to the commissioner, the disease is characterized by abdominal distension, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, enlarge liver, enlarge spleen, fever and general body weakness.

“The illness is found in Maradun, Shinkafi and Gusau local government areas in the state.

“Children are mostly affected and the cases are associated with water consumptions.

“So far, four deaths have been recorded, 177 cases were detected,” Anka said.

“The incident has been reported to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), partners and all other relevant stakeholders.

“The ministry of health is currently on the emergency response phase to identify the illnesses and causes.

“Various biological human and animal samples, soil samples, water samples, agricultural and foodstuff samples have been taken to Lagos and Abuja laboratories for analysis.

“The ministry will continue to update the general public and all relevant stakeholders and partners on any update about the outbreak,”she added. (

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Health

Assembly passes Kano Pre-Marital Health Screening Bill

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Kano State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a law to compel intending couples to undergo HIV, hepatitis and sickle cell anaemia screening before marriage.

The passage followed deliberations in the Committee of the Whole House during plenary session,
presided over by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore on Monday in Kano.

After deliberations, the lawmakers approved the 3rd reading of the bill, read by the Deputy Clerk, Alhaji Nasiru Magaji.

Shortly after passage of the bill, the Majority Leader of the house, Lawan Hussein (NNPP-Dala), stated that “any person
intending to marry shall first submit self for medical examinations.”

He said the bill was considered and passed after the 3rd reading, following various legislative processes.

The leader further said that the bill was passed because the state had been battling with different health issues, including
HIV because people go into marriages without medical screening.

He said that the bill, if signed into law, would save many lives and curb the spread of life-threatening diseases.

“The bill will safeguard the health of citizens by institutionalising pre-marital testing to check the spread of diseases
like hepatitis, HIV and sickle cell anaemia,” he added.

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Health

WHO to begin vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus May 27 in Kogi

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The World Health Organisation (WHO), says it plans to commence vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) on May 27 in Kogi.

The state’s Team Lead of WHO, Dr Muktar Toyosi, said this when he led his team on an advocacy visit to the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Wednesday in Lokoja.

Toyosi said that the vaccination was meant for girl child of between the age nine and 14.

He said the ongoing sensitisation was to keep the people informed, and educate them on the vaccination of their children to protect them against cervical cancer in future.

”Kogi falls within the second phase of the programme. We are soliciting for the cooperation of the media in educating the people of the state on the HPV vaccination.

“There need for girls child across the state to take the vaccination to safeguard their future.

“Although the vaccine was initially scarce and difficult to get, the good news now is that it has been made available by the government,” Toyosi said.

Also speaking, the State Technical Assistant for WHO, Dr Ahmed Attah, said that the HPV mostly affect women, adding that the vaccination remained a preventive measure against the disease.

Attah, a former state Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and a former Chief Medical Director (CMD), Kogi Specialist Hospital (KSSH) Lokoja, urged parents and guardians to avail their children of the vaccination to justify government’s investment.

In his response, the Kogi NUJ Chairman, Mr Seidu Ademu, described the health sector as very critical, stressing that the vaccination was a right step in the right direction.

Ademu promised a robust partnership with WHO to enable the team to achieve its set goals.
He stressed the need to inform, educate and sensitise the general public on the need to embrace the vaccine by ensuring that girls within the age range were vaccinated.

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