LASSA FEVER VACCINE: ALEX EKWUEME FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL TO CONDUCT CLINICAL TRIAL
REPORTER: AMECHI ODO
The Federal Government is to conduct clinical trial of Lassa Fever vaccine at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.
This is part of efforts to find lasting solution to the outbreaks of the virus in Ebonyi State and other parts of the country.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Robinson Onoh, revealed this when he led his management team to a courtesy call on Governor Francis Nwifuru at the Government House, Abakaliki.
Professor Onoh explained that the clinical vaccine trial was borne out of research work called “Enable One Point Zero,” which was carried out in collaboration with International Partners, (CEPI).
The Chief Medical Director said the trial would take place in five countries while three centres, which include Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Federal Medical Centre Owo and the Irua Specialist Hospital had been selected to host the trial in Nigeria.
“The Hospital is being prepared for that, at the moment, we have the monocular Lab with an attached vaccine cold room. We also have another research Lab that was built by one of the partners involved in the clinical vaccine trial.
“That Research Lab is where what is called G-Sequencing is done, you can get a virus and get a specific gene that is in the virus,” the CMD explained.
Professor Onoh appealed to the state government to assist the hospital with the provision of structures and medical equipment as well as settling the bills of indigent patients.
He noted that such support would make the hospital a centre of excellence for national and International referrals.
Governor Nwifuru said the state government was pleased with efforts by the management team to transform the hospital and stated its readiness to support it with the provision of infrastructure and other necessities to enhance health services in the state.
“There is a tremendous change in the hospital in terms of public service, trust and effective leadership and what that tells me is the need for passion, vision and availability for one to deliver in any office,” the Governor said.
Governor Nwifuru frowned at the failure by the Federal Government to expand the hospital since it was handed over to the Federal Ministry of Health and called for adequate funding of the medical facility to serve the state better.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
