Dear All,
We are
always thrilled to read that Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has
conducted a study and released its result, because it is not a common
occurrence. So, when we read the
Newspaper report below, we were very happy.
But the manner of and where such an important research report is found matters
to Nigerians and the Global Health World fellow scientists, academics and
practitioners. It should also matter to policy makers and funders of NIMR
including the Federal Ministry of Health, etc. Perhaps the details of the study
have been published in a peer review scientific Journal, but if not why not?.
We assume that the Newspaper report is only a post study media promotion. But
surely if the findings are to be given the desired credence, as expected by
NIMR, the study should conform to well established scholarly research work. And
who better to say so than a peer reviewed scholarly publication, local or
international.
The NIMR
calls for government to give it powers to engage in other forms of study on
malaria control such as "Sterile Insect techniques" and "genetic
modified mosquito" . Well and good, but government must ensure that NIMR
has answers to the global concern and measures to safeguard people and communities
where such novel gene manipulation are to be tried.
We are
reminded that not too long ago plans to introduce genetically engineered
insects / mosquitoes in Burkina Faso brought about statements/warnings like
this, ‘scientists still face a challenge: making sure that people
understand and accept the newfangled genetic technology behind it all.
That means building trust and doing basic education — explaining not only the
impact of genetically engineered insects arriving in their homes, but also what
genetics is in the first place.’’
Hopefully,
we shall hear more from NIMR or the FMOH on this news report.
READ ON -
‘’All Africa. Vanguard (Lagos)
21 JUNE 2017
Nigeria to
Witness More Malaria Cases As Mosquitoes Develop Resistance - NIMR
By Gabriel
Olawale and Adeshina Oluwaseyi
The Nigeria
Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, has raised alarm over the increasing
incidence of mosquito resistance to Long Lasting Insecticide Nets, LLINs, in 18
states of the federation, even as over 50 million Nigerians still test positive
to malaria annually.
In a new
report released, yesterday, by the institute, it was revealed that Lagos, Ogun
and Niger states have the highest incidence of resistance cases.
Other states
where resistance have been reported include Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto,
Zamfara, Benue, Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Anambra, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Osun
and Oyo.
Giving
insight into the outcome of the report, Deputy Director & Head, Public
Health Department, NIMR, Dr. Sam Awolola, said since 2003, over 182 million
LLINs had been distributed in Nigeria, with only 16 percent reduction rate in
2008 to 2011 which have not been sustained.
Awolola
regretted that one of the consequences of the development was that more deaths
from malaria were imminent in the affected areas, adding that the situation
called for great concern.
He blamed
the new trend of resistance to use of same reagents on agricultural products,
stressing that "basically, one of the major factors that contributed to
insecticide resistance is the use of same reagents for agriculture globally.
Most of the insecticide used in public health are also used in agriculture,
which is a major source of resistance."
Corroborating
his views, Director General of NIMR, Prof. Babatunde Salako, said the progress
Nigeria had made in combating malaria was under threat due to the spread of
insecticide resistance.
"There
is clear evidence that insecticide resistance has been confirmed in at least 20
states across Nigeria. There is a gap of resistant data in 14 states which
requires urgent attention," he said.
He explained
that such resistance could lead to public health crisis, as insecticide
resistance could quickly over power the current portfolio of vector control
tools, especially LLINs.
Salako said
it was high time the country did away with 'one-size-fits-all' approach, and
embrace multiple vector control interventions.
"There
is need to explore alternative non-chemical base control measures," he
said.
Salako
called on government to support a large scale operational research on deployment
and use of PBO-LLINs in insecticide-resistance hot spot areas.
"The
government should commission NIMR as a hub for vector surveillance and
insecticide resistance mapping in Nigeria.
"Empower
NIMR to explore the use of alternative mosquito control measures such as the
"Sterile Insect techniques" and "genetic modified mosquito"
for malaria control in Nigeria," he said ’’
.
Joseph Ana
Africa Center for Clin Gov Research &
Patient Safety
@ HRI West Africa
Group - HRI WA
Consultants in
Clinical Governance Implementation
Publisher: Health and
Medical Journals
8 Amaku Street Housing
Estate, Calabar
Cross River State, Nigeria
Cross River State, Nigeria
Phone No.
+234 (0) 8063600642
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