FG INAUGURATES HEALTH RESEARCH COMMITTEE, TASK MEMBERS ON COLLABORATION
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By Sefiu Ajape
The Federal Government has increased its efforts to address the health issues facing its population and contribute to worldwide solutions to health requirements with the establishing of the National Health Research Committee (NHRC).
The government’s vision for every Nigerian’s health and well-being transcends the current challenges, according to Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, who gave the committee’s 13-member inaugural speech on Thursday evening in Lagos, chaired by Prof. Olufunmilayo Olopade.
According to Alausa, “It is a vision rooted in the belief that research is the compass guiding our journey towards healthier, happier lives for all Nigerians.
“In the face of evolving health landscapes, our commitment to a robust, evidence-driven healthcare system has never been more crucial.
“Therefore, the establishment of the NHRC is not just a formality but a bold statement of our commitment to advancing health outcomes for our people.”
Alausa praised the committee as a light of hope and an intellectual powerhouse that will guide Nigeria through the intricate seas of health difficulties, expressing confidence in the group made up of professionals in many disciplines of health and medicine and challenging them to go above and beyond expectations.
“Its role is pivotal – it is the engine that will drive our nation’s health research agenda. However, I ask that we all go beyond what is expected of us to achieve what is unprecedented.
“Today, we bring together brilliant minds from diverse fields in medicine, public health and research. The power of collaboration lies in its ability to catalyse innovation. I challenge the committee to foster inter-disciplinary partnerships, breaking down silos to tackle health issues comprehensively.
“In this era of rapid technological advancement, we must harness the power of innovation. I envision a Nigeria where technology is not just a tool but a transformative force in healthcare.
“The committee’s endeavours should embrace artificial intelligence, telemedicine and other cutting-edge technologies to revolutionise healthcare delivery.
“As we embark on this journey, let us uphold the highest ethical standards. Transparency in our research processes is non-negotiable. Building and maintaining public trust is essential for the success of our initiatives. “The committee must be a beacon of integrity, ensuring that every research endeavour contributes to the betterment of society,” the minister added.
After leaving Nigeria for post-graduate training in the US for more than 40 years, NIMR Chairperson, Olopade expressed her honor at taking on the enormous duty.
Praising the administration for “prioritising health research and the pivotal role it plays in achieving sustainable development in any nation, Olapade said the appointment was beyond personal achievement, but a collective acknowledgement of the significance of advancing quality, person-centred healthcare through rigorous scientific inquiry in the era of precision medicine.
“Nigeria is home to a diverse and vibrant population with some unique healthcare challenges, and with an estimated population of over 225 million, Nigeria is home to one in five black persons in the world.
“Using data from transatlantic slave ship records and genetic ancestry data, it is also estimated that nearly 70 per cent of African Americans have genetic roots in Nigeria or West Africa.
“Therefore, we have the responsibility to lead innovation in healthcare for this population and have the potential to transform the society and revitalize economies in low resource settings across the African diaspora,” Olopade stated.
Olopade further expressed trust in the committee’s highly skilled academic members’ ability to address chronic non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, and sickle cell disease through their distinctive and creative programs.
“As Nigeria seeks to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare, the role of research becomes even more crucial. It is through research that we can understand the specific health needs of our people, leapfrog to innovative solutions, and ultimately improve overall health outcomes in our nation,” Olopade added.
Olopade pleaded with the government to support health researchers in their endeavors by opening up supply chains, encouraging a rise in the demand for superior healthcare, and assisting in the development of sustainable ecosystems that will generate employment opportunities for young, highly skilled Nigerians.
And instead of the high-rate brain drain that exists now, she expressed hope that, in the wake of what has seemed like an endless COVID-19 pandemic that exposed egregious disparities in global health systems, the next generation of Nigerian trainees will have unparalleled opportunities to benefit from “brain circulation” that can drive economic recovery.
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