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Health experts have urged the federal government to improve its domestic funding for research to address the health challenges in the country.
The experts made the call in Abuja on Wednesday at the scientific seminar of the International Research Centre of Excellence of the Institute of Human Virology in Nigeria to mark the commissioning of the IHVN Campus with the theme ‘Addressing local health challenges through quality research and partnerships.’
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of IHVN, Dr Patrick Dakum, said Nigeria has the intellectual capacity for research activities, but the government needs to fund research.
Dakum said, “We have the intellectual capacity in Nigeria, all we need is for the government to open the opportunity, especially on funding. Go to the universities and ask them how much it is in terms of naira; that is their research budget. It is very minimal, and the government must be deliberate in funding research because development depends a lot on research. If we neglect research, we will neglect the future”.
According to him, health experts will continue to advocate in making sure the government take action, and continue to work with relevant stakeholders in the health sector.
He also urged the private sector to contribute to the health sector.
“At IHVN, science and data define and guide the work that we do in implementing public health programmes; in caring for and treating people infected and affected by infectious and non-communicable diseases. With research, we are gradually improving science and technology for the benefit of society and public health.”
Also speaking, the executive director at the IRCE of the IHVN, Prof Alash’le Abimiku, said there is a funding gap in the country.
“A lot of funding that we get is through grants, and we should do that because we are scientists, but the government plays a role in funding research. Funding helps to support health infrastructure and services and we must fund research “
He stated that the centre is committed in addressing local health challenges through quality research and partnerships.
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