The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) has
identified three candidate drugs to be repositioned and repurposed for the
treatment and eradication of Lassa fever.
Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General of NABDA,
disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday
in Abuja.
Mustapha said scientists at the Genetics, Genomics and
Bioinformatics Department of the agency, led by its Director, Prof. Oyekanmi
Nash, in collaboration with other researchers spearheaded the research.
“This is NABDA’s contribution towards finding a lasting
solution to Lassa fever disease in Nigeria.
“Diseases are increasing on a yearly basis. So, NABDA has
repositioned and repurposed three candidate drugs for the treatment of Lassa
fever,’’ he said.
He expressed optimism that the drugs would address the
challenges faced in treating patients diagnosed with Lassa fever.
The NABDA boss recalled that on Wednesday, March 2, eminent
scientists, researchers, medical practitioners and technology experts held a
meeting in Abuja.
He said the objective of the meeting was to discuss the
method and processes of putting the drugs on clinical trial towards meeting
plans to completely eradicate Lassa fever in Nigeria.
He added that with the breakthrough the challenge was to
intensify surveillance and response by ensuring the availability of diagnostic
centres across most affected regions.
Mustapha said although funding was a major setback to
research, he expressed optimism that the 0.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) allocated to research and innovation by President Muhammadu Buhari could
assist.
He said the allocation was encouraging, and that scientists
should be happy about it.
“I hope it will be implemented before another administration
comes to power for it will not only propel research but will encourage
scientists in Diaspora to come home and help develop our nation,” he said.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com