NIMR urges Nigerians to patronise innovations to curb coronavirus

The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has urged Nigerians to encourage and patronise locally-made COVID-19 innovations to preserve the country’s economy and as well eradicate the virus quickly.

Director-General, NIMR, Prof. Babatunde Salako, stated this at the launch of the first-ever locally-produced COVID-19 RNA extraction kits by the institute that would scale up rapid testing and diagnosis of the deadly virus in Nigeria.

Salako stated that the local production of COVID-19 RNA Extraction kits is very important at this time as Nigeria needs to bring in one or two reagents to complete production, adding that the country has brilliant scientists who can solve problems, but the weak attitude of the people who doubt locally-made innovations, have made the country to over-depend on foreign products.

IN another development, the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, urged the Ekiti State Government and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to designate the institution as a testing and treatment centre for COVID-19 pandemic.

The Rector, Dr. Hephzibah Oladebeye, said that the institution had procured a Polymerate Chain Reaction (PCR) machine through grants provided for some lecturers, saying that the equipment can rapidly test the COVID-19 status of individuals.

Besides, he said that the institution had manufactured enough COVID-19 facilities that could guarantee safety on campus.

The Rector, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti yesterday while showcasing the innovative contributions of the institution, said the polytechnic initially procured the PCR machine for the purpose of DNA and RNA analyses but was later discovered to be effective in testing COVID-19 status of individuals, adding: “During the lockdown, our researchers here did not rest. We manufactured all these to help our nation.”

The PCR doesn’t have accessories, so, we are pleading with the state government to help us so that the PCR machine can be put to use and the whole state can be safe.

“The PCR machine can test a large number of people in a day. Apart from this, we have a massive health centre we can easily convert into an isolation centre if the government is ready to partner us.”

Oladebeye commended Governor Kayode Fayemi on his efforts to make Ekiti safe from the pandemic, especially the fumigation of all institutions in the state, including the polytechnic.