The Minister of Health, Dr. Osage Ehanire, has disclosed that non-release of funds is affecting the N200 million drugs related research framework developed by the ministry and its affiliate organs to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.Nigeria Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), and NAFDAC.
The Adhoc Committee conducted a One day investigative hearing on the “Need to investigate the Status of Medical Research in the Fight Against COVID-19 and Other Diseases in Nigeria”.
Ehanire said that the National Health Research Committee developed the N200 million COVID-19 research work plan for the year 2020.
The Minister disclosed that the research division of the Ministry was actively involved in Nigeria COVID-19 Research Consortium (NCRC), a conglomerate of research entities from the government, NCDC, academic and private sector.
He said several research protocols were being reviewed by the NCRC for possible sponsorship.
In a remark, Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Haruna Mshelia (APC, Borno) called for multi-sectoral stakeholder engagement by the health ministry in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
source: DailyTrust
