NIMR DG tasks FG on Establishing Medical Research Council

On Jun 9, 2023

The Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Professor Babatunde Salako, has tasked the Federal Government to establish a Medical Research Council in the Country. Prof. Salako made the call at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, noting that the council would also address the fundamental obstacles of funding research activities in the health sector. According to him, Nigeria would have solved its health challenges locally if such a council is established.

The NIMR DG also noted that health research contributes higher than any sector of human development worldwide. He said: “If you take care of health, you have probably taken care of all Social development Goals indices because health is central. A nation with good health and high life expectancy is likely to have a good healthy workforce that will improve the economy in all ramifications. The advantage is that countries with Medical Councils can focus on the variance of health challenges and provide solutions,” he added.

Prof. Salako added that 70 per cent of medical research in Nigeria was funded by donor agencies, while only 30 per cent came from local stakeholders. “Inadequate funding is responsible for our poor indices in maternal mortality, and under-five mortality rate,” he added.

He said that unless the council is established and well-funded, the country would not have direct focus on health challenges.

Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Dr. Tanko Sununu, said medical research was a multi-billion investment globally, adding that Nigeria would benefit more if government invests in the sector.

Wumi/Punch