NIMR HOSTS ITS ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE

The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) hosted its annual scientific conference, now known as the “International Conference on Health Advances, Innovation and Research (ICHAIR), from 27th – 29th November 2024. The conference was repositioned in 2023 to become a go-to meeting for bio-medical professionals and stakeholders within Nigeria and beyond to reflect on innovations in research and health and how these will impact health, especially in Nigeria.

The opening ceremony took place on the 28^th of November 2024 with an opening remark by the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Honorable Commissioner of Health, Lagos State. The keynote speaker, Prof. Akinsanya Osibogun, delivered a keynote address on “Challenges and prospects of medical research in Nigeria”. He spoke on the importance of research and how to use the products of research to improve practice. Prof. Osibogun further mentioned that research must be tailored to answer specific questions and not to waste time and resources.

The Director General of NIMR, in his welcome address, noted that this “scientific conference, annually brings together biomedical professionals of repute, stakeholders, academics, and upcoming researchers to share their findings, ideas, and experiences, network, learn and celebrate the advances in biomedical research birthed through cutting-edge research for the advancement of global health”.

The DG further mentioned NIMR’s significant contributions and achievements, including the development of Diagnostic Test kits for infectious diseases of national importance like Mpox and COVID-19, and the Lassa fever vaccine, which is at the completing stage, absolutely developed on Nigeria soil by Nigerian scientists. Recently, NIMR, in collaboration with NMEP and Gombe State University, discovered a new malaria vector, Anopheles Stephensi, in Gombe, Nigeria. This was the first in West Africa.

The Chair Conference Organizing Committee, Dr. Musa, said this year’s conference attracted over 200 participants from within and outside the country. In addition, she mentioned that the conference will continue to be a meeting point for cross-fertilization of ideas, experience, and discussion, as well as an opportunity for novel innovations and outcomes that could transform our nation to a higher height.

During the conference, Dr. Agatha Nkiruka David from the Clinical Science Department delivered the 12th edition of the institute’s distinguished lecture. The lecture titled: “HIV in children and adolescents: Winning the battle against a formidable foe”.

The ceremony was also attended by Dr. Tunji Alausa, Honourable Minister of Education, Federal Republic of Nigeria, who urged the participants to translate their ideas and findings into actionable outcomes that will improve health care delivery and public health in the country, sub-continent Africa, Africa as a whole, and the world at large. He also commended NIMR for its continued upholding of the mandate to research into health problems that translates into policy and stated that the Ministry of Education will continue to promote partnership between academic institutions, research centers, and private sectors in order to expand Nigeria’s contributions to global health advancement and subsequently grow the economy. Other dignitaries who attended the ceremony included Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State; Prof. Akisanya Osibogun; and Ms. Ajibike Adewole from the Japanese Government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), who also delivered goodwill messages and poured accolades on the DG and Management of the Institute while also commending the innovative research efforts of the institute and the importance of the annual conference.

The highlights of the conference included a skill-building pre-conference workshop that focused on health research and AI research toolkit, and the application of molecular dockings in molecular research and drug development. The conference featured both virtual and physical meetings, and it was well attended by participants from various institutions as well as distinguished scholars who delivered different scientific papers.