To combat kidney disease plaguing Yobe state, the state government announced it would collaborate with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the London University College. This information was released in Damaturu by Mamman Mohammed, Director-General of Press and Media Affairs for Governor Mai Mala Buni of the State. During a meeting with renowned epidemiologists, the governor stated that the State has suffered a significant loss of residents living on the banks of the River Yobe due to kidney failure and that many more people are currently suffering from the disease.
Number of people who have died and others who are patients is very concerning, highlighting the need for prompt action to save the communities. According to him, he is equally concerned about the fact that a large number of the population’s productive members are becoming more affected. Mohammed stated that the governor had issued a call for a prompt and proactive intervention in order to save the people, and he assured that his administration was prepared for any partnership and collaboration that would provide a solution to the problem.
YBRC will increase investment in health research and others.
During this time, an epidemiologist who works at the College, Professor Neil Peace, stated that the data obtained would be used to establish the causal agents, which would push for the discovery of a solution. Also, Prof. Ben Caplin, a nephrologist at the College experienced in population-based clinical and laboratory studies, mentioned that it was essential to identify the factors that led to the development of the disease. He complimented Buni on his interest in seeking solutions to the problems the communities were facing.
Prof. Jonathan Stoye, Principal Group Leader at London’s Francis Crick Institute (FCI), stated that the Yobe Biomedical Research Centre (YBRC) will increase investment in health research and others across the economy. Biomedical research and training are, in his opinion, two of Yobe State’s most important investments. During a working visit by the state governor, Mai Mala Buni, to the FCI in London, UK, Stoye explained that the institution is Europe’s largest research institute as well as an esteemed global research and training centre.
The economic growth of the state will be enhanced.
According to the leader of the FCI, the collaboration between the government of Yobe State and research institutions will be valuable for the development and growth of the state’s economy in Nigeria. Additionally, it will safeguard the future of the State’s youth as well as the future of other generations. The establishment of YBRC at the state University is a prudent course of action. The centre will be connected to the Yobe State Teaching Hospital (YTH) for the purpose of fostering scientific investigation and education.
In addition to that, he stated that the findings of the research would improve the delivery of healthcare services to people living in communities. As a result, he extended his gratitude to the governor for everything he’s done for the State and the people in it. Stoye reaffirmed the YBRC intended use for diagnostic research and training as well as drug discovery and vaccine development; the Biomedical Research Centre in Damaturu will focus on these areas as well as others related to human biology, disease, and healthcare system improvement.
A N160 million contract has been allocated to build the site.
Lastly, during his brief remarks, the governor pledged his support for bringing the facility up to international standards for research and education. He also mentioned that the state government would establish new cooperation areas to speed up the centre’s growth. He reassured the people that they would work hard to keep and even improve upon their current level of cooperation. He also revealed that the state government had awarded a N160 million contract to build a site specifically for the centre’s research and training purposes.
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