IHVN to raise N5b to build headquarters

The Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN) on Thursday said it was set to raise N5 billion to build its headquarters in Abuja.

Its Chairman, Board of Directors, Prof. Umaru Shehu, made this known on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole.

Shehu said that the FCT Administration (FCTA) had provided a land for the headquarters, expected to house the International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE).

According to him, the IRCE will become a centre for Public Private Partnership (PPP) for international and local media researchers.

He said that the Institute had been involved in supporting and carrying out medical research in various areas, focusing mainly on Implementation Science.

He explained that Implementation Science is the study of methods to promote the integration of research findings and evidence into healthcare policy and practice.

He added that “in order to consolidate its research endeavours and provide more efficient support to Nigerian medical researches, IHVN has set up an International Research Centre of Excellence under the leadership of Prof. Alash’le Abimiku.

“Abimiku is currently conducting research on Lassa/HIV interaction apart from being the Principal Investigator of the IHVN H3 Africa Bio repository for West Africa.’’

Shehu, therefore, appealed to the Minister for support toward making the project a reality.

Responding, Adewole pledged the ministry’s support to the Institute.

Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Institute will hold a fundraiser, with the support of Access Bank Plc to raise the N5 billion for the construction of the headquarters building.

The building will contain clinical laboratories for diagnosis, research, training and functional spaces for patient care and clinical trials, storage and management of bio-specimens, to be located along Airport Road in the FCT.