Sunday Ehigiator
The Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. Babatunde Salako, recently announced that over 25,000 individuals in Nigeria have benefitted from the institute’s HIV clinic program and research endeavors.
During a news conference held to mark the conclusion of his eight-year tenure as Director-General, Salako highlighted NIMR’s substantial role in training the national workforce to combat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
HIV is the virus responsible for causing Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which weakens the immune system by attacking T-cells in the human body.
Salako proudly revealed that NIMR has played a vital role in the fight against the HIV pandemic, as the institute diagnosed the first HIV cases in Nigeria.
Over the years, NIMR has established an HIV research center and implemented a clinic program catering to the needs of more than 25,000 patients.
Furthermore, the institute has conducted extensive research on the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of various anti-retroviral drugs, including generic versions introduced to the country.
Salako also emphasized the economic significance of NIMR in the healthcare sector, highlighting that the institute conducted approximately 65,000 COVID-19 tests using their indigenous testing solutions.
Additionally, NIMR has contributed significantly to the development of healthcare professionals, having trained over 1,600 doctors, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and students.
Among other achievements, the institute has made noteworthy advancements in research related to tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, and malaria.
However, Salako acknowledged certain challenges faced by NIMR during his tenure, including staff attrition, limited cancer research, and insufficient funding, which have hindered some research activities.
He stressed the imperative need for more researchers to undertake extensive studies on cancer to prevent it from becoming an additional burden on the healthcare system.
Salako expressed his gratitude to the government for significantly increasing the annual allocation to NIMR.
Salako’s tenure as Director-General will come to an end on July 23, and he believes that the expansion of cancer research should be a priority for NIMR moving forward.
We must not wait until it becomes a double burden. We earnestly appeal for an expansion in cancer research,” he emphasized.
Salako commended the government’s efforts in increasing the institute’s funding, and expressed optimism for the future of NIMR. (NAN)