The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) emphasises that tackling global health challenges, which are increasingly threatened by evolving public health issues, requires a multidisciplinary approach.
This involves collaborative research efforts, strategic investments, and partnerships among stakeholders.
NIMR’s Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Prof. John Obafunwa, made the assertion on Thursday in Lagos.
Obafunwa spoke at the 14th edition of NIMR’s International Conference on Health Advances, Innovation, and Research (14th NIMRICHAIR).
NIMR-ICHAIR 2024, is an annual scientific conference, which brings together biomedical professionals of repute, stakeholders, academics and upcoming researchers to share their research findings, ideas and experiences.
The occasion availed the experts the opportunity to network, learn and celebrate the advances in biomedical research birthed through cutting-edge research for the advancement of global health.
Obafunwa said: “Apart from the challenges of climate change consequences, and other natural disasters, on national and regional health, global health is currently increasingly threatened by evolving public health issues.”
He listed the public health problems to include weakened healthcare systems, outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, reluctance to receive vaccines (like the HPV vaccine), and the evolving burden of antimicrobial resistance.
Others included “food safety and malnutrition, non-communicable diseases, mental health and substance abuse, environmental pollution, and so many more await multidisciplinary research efforts, investment and collaboration.
“In these three days of NIMR-ICHAIR 2024 conference, we will delve into the latest advancements and innovations in public health.
“The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research continues to uphold her mandate.
“This is through research into health problems that translate into policy and contribute positively to changing the narratives of the public health landscape in the country, region and globally.’’
According to Obafunwa, in furtherance of NIMR’s achievements and contributions to national health development in Nigeria, it continues to break new grounds through strategic health research inventions, innovation, collaborations and community engagement.
“We are aware that the time to uphold this mandate is now, especially considering the current national economic challenges that call for promotion of local contents discouraging importation to improve national health and well-being.”
He also noted that the institute had made significant contributions and achievements, including the development of diagnostic test kits for infectious diseases of national importance like Mpox and COVID-19 and the LASSA fever vaccine.
According to him, these are at the completion stage and developed on Nigeria soil by Nigerian scientists.
In addition, he said that recently, NIMR, in collaboration with NMEP and Gombe State University, discovered a new malaria vector, Anopheles Stephensi, in Gombe, Nigeria, the first in West Africa.
“This vector, previously known on the Asian mosquito, could transmit Plasmodium vivax and thrive in very difficult conditions, like surviving in deep wells.
“The discovery of this species has changed the Nigerian vector control space with urgent policy decisions on outdoor vector control.
“Additionally, NIMR supports the NMEP through high-level data analytics and modelling on vectors and the National Malaria Efficacy Studies of antimalarial medicines in Nigeria which are strategic to malaria elimination in Nigeria.”
Obafunwa said: “We continue to keep our word about making the workplace better for our bright and hardworking researchers by building cutting-edge laboratories that work.
“Some of these include NIMR Biobank, the malaria molecular laboratory, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) diagnostic laboratory, and ongoing support for developing diagnostic kits for Nigeria’s most important public health diseases.
“The institute has continued to improve the frontiers of collaboration with public and private institutions in and beyond Nigeria.
“We have also been at the forefront of national health research, ethics and capacity development in collaboration with institutions, federal and state ministries of health recognising the importance of research in nation building.”
He urged all hands to be on deck to collectively deliver a society where the full benefit of health research translated into improved health.
Obafunwa appreciated the Federal Government, all sponsors, speakers, facilitators, presenters, partners, participants, Chairs and Co-chairs for “sharing their resources, expertise, enthusiasm, and time with us.”
Also, Dr Zaidat Musa, Chair, Conference Organising Committee and Dr Olusola Ajibaye, Co-Chair, Conference Organising Committee, reiterated the important roles of research and collaboration in the growth and development of health and the nation.
“As the country continues to build on the learnings from biomedical research as a fulcrum to the growth and development of the nation, we must not relent on our current success.
“We should continue to probe and proffer solutions through evidence-based, cutting-edge research and adaptable innovation to promote the health and well-being of our citizens and the global landscape.
“This entails strengthening existing collaboration and building new frontiers within and outside the country (both south-south and north-south collaborations) among the diverse fields of biomedical science.
“Furthermore, we also need to solidify our base.
“This is by fostering positive relationships with non-governmental in-country and international agencies and continuing to appeal to government and legislatures to ensure better funding and support to promote the research ecosphere.
“We are optimistic that the conference will continue to be a meeting point for cross-fertilisation of ideas, experiences, and discussion, as well as opportunity for novel innovations and outcomes that could transform our nation to higher heights.‘’
According to them, NIMR-ICHAIR aims to bring together postgraduate students, researchers, academic scientists, professionals, and governmental realms to gather, network, exchange, and share their experiences and research findings.
“These would be on different aspects of medical, health, and basic science research related to medical and public health.”
NAN
