Pfizer, experts collaborate on improving healthcare emergency system

The need to advance the national health care emergency system of African countries, in order to forestall a continental epidemic, was the focus of the two-day workshop on emergency health system in Africa.

The seminar, which was organised by the Association of Good Clinical Practice in Nigeria (AGCPN) in conjunction with Pfizer Plc, was well attended by experts on the subject

According to the President of AGCPN and Professor of Radiation Medicine at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, the need for an effective and efficient health emergency system is indispensable, to the overall healthcare service delivery.

Okoye argued that continuous neglect of health emergency will have negative effect across broad spectrum in the health sector.

She added: “There is the need for capacity development both human and infrastructural, with clinical trial as a fulcrum towards addressing future public health emergencies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“There is the need for close collaboration between public and private establishments/sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa towards combating and reducing mortality and morbidity.”

Also, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bioresources Development Group (BDG) and Professor of Pharmacy, Maurice Iwu, harped on the need to enhance modulation in tracking diseases as well as the introduction of microbiota system. He noted that there is an urgent need for concerted efforts in improving healthcare emergency in the sector for optimum results.

The participants also emphasized on how pertinent it is for all tiers of Governments, Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and private partners to support clinical trials and research generally across Sub-Saharan Africa.