Health
THE Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, says the institute is currently in the final stage of developing kits for the diagnosis of Lassa fever and Yellow fever.
Its Director-General, Prof. Babatunde Salako, made this known on Monday in Lagos.
Salako said that the development would make diagnosis for the diseases more cheaper and readily available for usage in the hospitals.
“Lassa fever and Yellow fever are diseases that are still ravaging this country; we started research sometimes ago to develop diagnosis kits for these two diseases.
“We are at the final stage of the research, as I speak and this will also make test kits cheaper compared to the imported one,” he said.
According to him, one of the first things to be done to curb a disease is case detection so that people could be treated.
On the institute’s vaccine research, he said that NIMR was collaborating with the Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and National Veterinary Institute in Jos to begin a robust vaccine research.
“Although, vaccine are now available around the world, the continuous mutation of the virus forming new variants of concern has made development of new vaccine inevitable.
“NIMR has formed an alliance with two major institutions and the platform will create a template for vaccine development generally,” he said.
Salako, however, appealed to the Federal Ministry of Health to give adequate support to the research to address the current and future vaccine challenges in the country.
NAN
– Mar. 8, 2021 @ 18:15 GMT |
Tags: NIMR in final stage of developing Lassa fever diagnostic kits- Salako
