The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has highlighted the need for a peacetime health system in order to be better prepared for the next pandemic. Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, revealed this on Monday in Abuja, at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) and the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) Scientific Seminar, with the topic “Addressing Local Health Challenges through Research and Partnerships”. In anticipation of Disease X, he underlined the need for development of libraries for quick diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine research
Dr. Adetifa, in his continuing statement stressed the importance of a strengthened laboratory diagnosis capacity and integrated monitoring, as well as the need for the government to broaden its procedures to health promotion, disease prevention, and emergency response in the country. He believes that improved national decision-making will result from the free flow of data. On the other hand, the COVID-19 Pandemic according to him showed the country the value of effective management and well-thought-out plans.
IRCE is a driving force in changing the culture of research in Africa.
While he acknowledged the value of collaborating together strategically, he emphasized the importance of having access to reliable information in order to make informed choices. Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) Director General Prof. Babatunde Salako has called for similar increases in funding. Prof. Salako believes there has to be greater funding for disease surveillance, prevention, identification, and treatment. He lauded IHVN for its dedication to local research and assured that NIMR will keep supporting the organization.
Executive Director of the International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE) Professor Alash’le Abimiku made the observation that IRCE had a well-defined vision and goal that aligned well with those of IHVN. According to Abimiku, IRCE is a driving force in changing the culture of research in Africa by providing leadership in research in Nigeria and West Africa through globally standardized expertise, transparency, and accountability. She went on to mention a few more of IRCE’s main goals, such as fostering an environment favorable to research and innovation so that pressing issues in Nigerian and global health might be addressed.
IHVN research and collaborators are protected by IRCE.
As part of its global network, the organization also offers a standardized, high-quality platform for conducting research and clinical trials. Encourages interaction and cooperation between top researchers in Nigeria and their counterparts in foreign universities and research centers. She further noted that IHVN, Nigerian universities, the diaspora, and international research organizations and universities provide opportunity for new or early to mid-career Nigerian researchers to conceive and execute research projects while being mentored by more experienced investigators.
In addition, it offers a cushion of protection by proactively ensuring that every research at IHVN is done in accordance with the highest scientific and ethical standards, thereby protecting both IHVN and its collaborators from liability. Abimiku also stated that the organization aims to launch a training hub to help researchers develop the skills they need to succeed in their research and in the early stages of their careers by providing access to training and capacity-building courses and programmes.
People with HIV/AIDS and other ailments are covered by IHVN.
It is impossible to overstate IHVN’s contribution to the healthcare system in the country, particularly in its response to pandemic and epidemic cases. IHVN, a non-profit and non-governmental organization, has been working to alleviate the anguish of those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in Nigeria for the past 19 years, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). In addition, IHVN has broadened its scope over the years to include care for a wider range of infectious and non-infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, cancer, COVID-19, and other emerging ones.
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