By Sunday Oyinloye
Nigerian Institute of Medical Research Foundation (NIMR Foundation) is set to host the Chief Executives of Media organizations in the country to intimate them about what the not- for- profit organization intends to do to transform health care research in Nigeria.
Health care research has been a major challenge in Nigeria, particularly, funding.
The event billed to hold at Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, Radisson Blu, GRA Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday, 12th October, 2021 by 10.00am will bring together Chief Executives of Media organizations across the country.
In a Press Release signed by the Executive Director, NIMR Foundation, Dr. Olajide Sobande, the event will be used to formally introduce the Foundation to the media.
In his words :”The media parley will address how NIMR Foundation activities are geared towards achieving two key outcomes for which it was established: development and expansion of capacity for translational healthcare research by early career investigators and promotion of innovation and capacity for healthcare products (medicines, vaccines) and technology discovery, development and commercialization.
“The parley will also address the areas of focus of NIMR Foundation and how it plans to achieve the target goals. The areas are: Functional food development, Nutrition, Communicable and Non-Communicable diseases, Road and water traffic crashes road injuries, Diagnostics, Drug discovery and development, Biomedical Engineering, Ageing and geriatric care, Substance abuse, Development of sport medicine and access to medicines and vaccines”.
According to him, “the event will be attended by the Incorporated Trustees of NIMR Foundation who are: Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Chairman; His Royal Highness Muhammad Sanusi II, member; Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, MFR, member; Prof. Oye Gureje, FAS, FNAMed, NNOM, member; and Prof Oni Idigbe, member. The Director General /CEO of Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Professor Babatunde Lawal Salako and his management team will also be in attendance.”
Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) was established through the National Science and Technology Act of 1977. It is the apex medical research organization charged with the responsibility to conduct research into diseases and conditions of public health importance in Nigeria and develop structures for the dissemination of research findings while providing enabling environment and facilities for health research and training in cooperation with the Federal and State Ministries of health and in collaboration with universities, allied institutions and organized private sector nationally and internationally.
NIMR Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization established by NIMR in 2018 but was eventually registered in February 2020 with the Corporate Affairs Commission to build and expand capacity for translational research among early career investigators and promote innovation, development and commercialization of home-grown medicines, vaccines and technologies to address the health needs of Nigeria in particular, and Africa at large.
It is expected that NIMR Foundation would help develop and administer those activities that assist and supplement the mission and mandate of Nigerian Institute of Medical Research.
