The Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) and the Nationwide Well being Analysis Ethics Committee (NHREC) have teamed up with the Nationwide Institute for Well being Analysis (NIHR) International Surgical procedure Unit, Nigeria Hub, to strengthen patient-centred surgical analysis and promote moral requirements.
This was revealed throughout a three-day engagement convention themed “Equipping Surgeons for Surgical Analysis – Function of Regulatory Establishments,” held in Lagos from January 8 to 10, 2025.
The occasion, organised by the Nationwide Institute for Well being Analysis (NIHR) International Surgical procedure Unit, Nigeria Hub, gathered representatives from over 30 establishments nationwide to foster collaboration between regulatory our bodies and researchers, boosting Nigeria’s capability for superior surgical analysis and affected person care.
Talking on the occasion, the Director of Well being Planning, Analysis, and Statistics within the Federal Ministry of Well being and Social Welfare, Dr. Kamil Shoretire, defined the significance of analysis in advancing Nigeria’s well being sector.
He mentioned, “The NIHR International Surgical procedure Unit has performed groundbreaking research, together with in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, offering proof on an infection prevention in surgical theatres and managing post-COVID surgical sufferers. This initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to revitalising the well being sector by means of analysis and collaboration.”
Shoretire additionally emphasised the federal authorities’s dedication to well being system renewal, specializing in management, inhabitants well being outcomes, well being safety, and analysis.
He added, “By means of this initiative, we purpose to spice up surgical analysis in tertiary establishments and enhance preparedness for outbreaks like cholera and Ebola, making certain higher outcomes for all Nigerians.”
NAFDAC’s Deputy Director of Scientific Trials, Dr. Beno Yakubu, praised the efforts of the NIHR Nigeria Hub and its collaborators for his or her give attention to producing native knowledge to tell public well being insurance policies.
“We’re completely happy to see the unfold of scientific trials throughout zones in Nigeria and the capacity-building initiatives that embody surgeons, nurses, and pharmacists. It’s critical that boards like these present suggestions mechanisms for each research performed,” he acknowledged.
Hub Director of the NIHR Nigeria International Surgical procedure Unit and a advisor paediatric surgeon on the Lagos College Instructing Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Adesoji Ademuyiwa, highlighted the necessity for regulatory our bodies in scientific analysis.
“Analysis should prioritise affected person security, and approvals from NAFDAC and NHREC are essential. This convention is a part of our efforts to coach researchers on moral requirements, with over 80 surgeons, nurses, and anaesthetists collaborating,” he defined.
Chief Medical Officer of LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, represented by the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee on the hospital, Dr. Rufus Ojewola, famous that the convention’s focus is to make surgeons well-rounded professionals.
“This gathering goals to coach surgeons not solely in service supply but additionally in analysis and educating. By equipping them with these abilities, they’ll enhance surgical outcomes and practice others of their respective centres,” he mentioned.
