Fed Goves Urges Deeper Collaboration to Tackle Health Challenges – International Edition (English)
The Federal Government has emphasized the importance of enhanced cooperation between researchers, healthcare providers, and policy makers to improve Nigeria’s health system.
Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, emphasized that ongoing innovation and fairness are key priorities for the ministry.
Salako expressed these views during a three-day national conference held in Abuja on Monday, with the theme “Exploring Excellence in Ethical Conduct, Leadership for Research Integrity through Empowerment (EXCEL-RITE)."
The conference was organized in collaboration with the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN).
EXCEL-RITE aims to foster an environment of ethical and open research practices within academia, government, and industry sectors.
Salako, who was presented through the Ministry’s Special Advisor on Research and Innovation, Dr. Lolade Adeyemi, reiterated the ministry’s dedication to improving the standard of healthcare and advocating for sustainable solutions.
The theme of this conference strongly aligns with our mission here at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
He stated, 'We are committed to continually improving quality, advancing equity, and leading sustainable innovation within our healthcare systems.'
He praised the organizers of the conference for assembling leading health experts on a single platform, emphasizing that these efforts are crucial for formulating strategies to address Nigeria’s intricate healthcare issues.
The Minister encouraged the attendees to participate actively, exchange knowledge, and form enduring collaborations that might result in significant enhancements to Nigeria’s healthcare results.
He highlighted the significance of cross-discipline cooperation in both research and policy development, mentioning that combining various areas of knowledge and working towards common goals are essential for enhancing the nation's health security.
Dr. Aba Sagoe, a board member of IHVN, emphasized the critical requirement for heightened research financing in Nigeria.
"Universities have a significant requirement for financial support, especially when it comes to research activities. There is an abundance of work yet to be accomplished, spanning beyond just medical sciences into areas like pharmacology, agronomy, and numerous additional domains," she stated.
Sagoe pointed out that numerous Nigerians are enthusiastic about participating in research activities; however, they struggle due to insufficient institutional backing and financial resources.
We must delve deeply into research as there is a great deal to accomplish. Numerous individuals in Nigeria aspire to venture into research fields, yet they require both motivation and, crucially, financial support to turn their aspirations into reality.
"I'm extremely delighted to be here. I continue to learn as well, and my aim is to return with abundant knowledge and inspire others to engage in research within Nigeria," she stated.
The Chief Operating Officer of IHVN and the principal investigator for the conference, Dr. Charles Mensah, stated that EXCEL-RITE was established with the aim of promoting ethical practices in research, strengthening cooperation, and facilitating significant advancements across various fields.
Mensah stated that the conference was designed to encourage research integrity, develop optimal procedures and criteria to maintain the reliability of research activities.
He believes this will also promote compliance with ethical guidelines to avoid wrongdoing in scientific pursuits.
He went on to say that the conference would enhance capability development by providing researchers, students, and institutional heads with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct ethically sound research.
Moreover, he mentioned that it would promote interdisciplinary education via training sessions, workshops, and joint programs.
The conference aims to boost cooperation and policy creation by connecting academia, government, and industry to form effective collaborations.
“He mentioned that this would also involve supporting the creation of policies aligned with international benchmarks for research ethics and governance.”
The conference gathered a wide range of participants such as scientists, healthcare providers, and government officials, all aimed at developing creative answers to enhance the quality of life for people in Nigeria.
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