Why Nigeria can’t produce typhoid vaccine locally, by NOTAP

FG to develop inoculation for Lassa fever
Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. DanAzumi Ibrahim, has described lack of institutional framework by the Federal Government as a major challenge in the production of typhoid fever vaccine in the country.

Ibrahim disclosed this yesterday at a training organised by the agency in Abuja for Nigerian researchers on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and presentation of patents to over 50 inventors and innovators.

He said one professor, who did the research work on the typhoid fever, had worked for over 20 years to ensure that the vaccine was produced locally.

The essence of the training, he noted, was to sensitise Nigerian researchers on credible research and development that could translate into products and services for economic development of the country.

According to him, if they are able to come out with Nigerian technology to create products and services, the level of unemployment in this country will reduce.

The DG added that the anti-snake venom, which had been patented by the agency, was at clinical trial and had been undertaken by animals, but needed to be tested on human beings before it could be produced for Nigerians.

He disclosed that since 2015, the agency had witnessed astronomical increase in the request for patenting.

Earlier in his keynote address, the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mohammed Abdullahi, said the low understanding of the socio-economic benefits of IPRs led to loss of about 90 per cent research outputs on their journey to the industry where they would be transformed into new products or services.

But the Federal Government said it is working on Lassa fever vaccine in the country.

It has set up a committee to scale up surveillance for suspected cases of coronavirus and ensure containment at all points.

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday in Abuja, assured that Nigeria had the capacity to detect, assess and respond to the coronavirus scourge and other public health threats.

The committee, he said, would comprise critical stakeholders in the health, security, aviation and transport sectors, as well as development partners.

According to him, the ministry is finalising plans to engage state authorities in Enugu, Lagos, Kano and Rivers states as well as the Federal capital territory (FCT), which are hosting international airport, to enhance surveillance, preparedness and response activities.