Research can enhance nation building, says minister
• Why NIMR has ‘largest’ HIV/AIDS clinic with 24,000 patients, by Salako
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has said that research is very fundamental in making decisions that are relevant and appropriate so as to enhance the nation’s building.
He made the call during the annual scientific conference of Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR).
The institute is set aside to conduct research into diseases of public health importance and to establish structures for the dissemination of research findings.
The Minister who was represented by the immediate past Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Akin Osibogun, said that there are several ways by which Nigeria can get information and make intelligent decisions by using the information.
Adewole stated that information could be obtained by carrying out research.
The theme of this year’s NIMR conference is “Achieving Health Related Sustainable Development goals (SDG) in Nigeria: The Role of Research and Innovation.”
The minister added: “If you conduct a research especially in a systematic collation, analysis and interpretation of data; to answer some specified questions or solve some problems then you will be able to have a more authentic result in more authentic source of which you can rely upon to make your decision.”
Adewole continued: “Research is very fundamental in other to make decisions that can be timely, relevant and appropriate to help situations. The NIMR is a research institution in Nigeria set up specifically for medical research.”
He commended the efforts of the institute as the conference is aimed at knowledge sharing and elimination of poverty, improving the lives of the people and contributing in development of knowledge of medicine.
Director General (DG) NIMR, Prof. Babatunde Salako, in his remark said that the annual scientific conference has evolved over the years to become the academic show piece of the institute which provides a platform for researchers and academic minds within and outside the institute to disseminate the outcome of their research works and share research experience with their peers.
Salako added that research and innovation would certainly play a pivot role in ensuring that the goals and targets of the SDGs are attained.
He highlighted that the global progress of the last few decades in the field of information communication technology has shown that research and innovation is the only sure pathway to sustainable development.
“NIMR as the foremost institute of medical research in the country is well positioned to contribute her quota towards the attainment of the SDGs.
This is in line with the vision and core mandate of the institute of the institute which is to conduct research into diseases of the public health importance and to establish structures for the dissemination of research findings,” said Salako.
The Director General said NIMR is already playing a leading role in areas with clinical boasting of arguably the largest Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) clinical unit with close to 24,000 patients among others.
Salako added: “Our desire at the institute is that the conference will create a platform for the dissemination of the outcome of innovative research works and an opportunity for researchers from within and outside the country to fraternize with one another.”
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