Training of Principal Investigators and Entomology Technicians

The National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) conducted hands-on practical training on the Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for entomological surveillance for Principal Investigators and Entomology Technicians for proposed vector surveillance sentinel sites in Ogun, Jigawa, Katsina, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Kaduna and Delta states.
The training is part of the ongoing plan to scale up Vector Surveillance activities in the country. The older sites of Kwara and Osun were also part of the training due to the New Nets Evaluation project which is scheduled to take place in these two states as pilot locations for the project.
The objectives of the training amongst others include:

  1. To equip the participants with the details of the protocol for entomological surveillance activities
  2. Provide hands-on practical guidance on the SOPs for entomological surveillance
  3. Provide participants with details on mosquitoes rearing techniques and insectary management
  4. Share expectations/roles/responsibilities of the stakeholders in entomological surveillance.
    Each state was represented by 3 persons- 1 PI and 2 Ento Techs while Kaduna state had a Co-PI and an SMEP personnel in attendance. The new sites are expected to conduct insecticide resistance monitoring activities only except Kaduna which will be conducting both IRM & Monthly mosquito collection. The workshop was therefore structured to include both theatrical and practical sessions supported by experience sharing from the older sites (Kwara and Osun).
    The DG-NIMR Prof. Babatunde Lawal Salako who graced a session, urged participants to put in their very best while emphasizing on the need to push for home-grown technologies.
    As a follow-up to the training, the number of sentinel sites in the country is expected to increase from the current 16 to 24 states. The participants are equipped to commence activities at the various sites to add to national data on status of insecticide resistance across the country. In addition, data on mosquito vector biology will add to the collection of information in the Malaria Data Repository as well as the National Bionomics and Bioinformatics.

Date: 20th- 24th July, 2020

Venue: Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba-Lagos.

STANBIC IBTC DONATES TEST KITS TO NIMR

As part of its Corporate social responsibility efforts and the desire to increase COVID-19 testing efforts in Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC represented by Mr. Adebanjo Otukomaya, Zone Head, Lagos Mainland and Dr. Sylvanus Jatto donated test kits to NIMR on 16th July 2020. According to Dr. Sylvanus Jatto, the Medical and Wellness Consultant at STANBIC IBTC, the donation is in recognition of NIMR’s drive-through COVID-19 testing efforts.

In his response, the Director General of NIMR, Professor Babatunde Lawal Salako thanked Stanbic IBTC for the donation. He also emphasized the importance of receiving support from private organizations in augmenting government efforts towards flattening the COVID-19 curve, as well as supporting research and development in Nigeria. He expressed the hope for further collaboration with the Bank and other well-meaning organizations. According to the DG, NIMR will not relent in her various commitments towards curbing the pandemic.

NIMR Biotech Total RNA Purification Kit

The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research has launched the country’s first set of local Ribonucleic Acid purification kits to help expand the nation’s capacity to test for COVID-19.

In his address at the official commissioning of the kits on Tuesday Tuesday 30th June 2020, Director-General of NIMR, Prof. Babatunde Lawal Salako explained that the local RNA kits would address the perennial problem of test kits shortage in the country and help ramp up daily testing capacity for COVID-19.

“The idea of producing the local Ribonucleic Acid purification kits was conceived after we noticed how its scarcity was delaying tests and other backlogs of samples,”

The product was christened NIMR Biotech Total RNA purification Kit.

TRACHOMA PROGRAMS

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST AND APPLICATION FOR EXPERT REVIEW ON:

INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF TRACHOMA PROGRAMS IN NIGERIA AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CHILDHOOD MORTALITY

Click to download Application

Important Dates

1. Deadline for submission of review application 1st June, 2020
2. Proposed Contract award date 8 June, 2020
3. Submission of first draft of Review 10 July, 2020
4. Submission of Final draft 27 July, 2020

Note: Applicants may be asked for additional clarifications or to make a summary presentation during the review process.

Address and contact for applications submission and clarifications:
An electronic copy of the application must be submitted to:
Grants Management Unit
NIMR, Yaba, Lagos.
E-mail: nimrgrantsunit@gmail.com