Over 1,000 medical experts are set to brainstorm on the role of research and innovation in achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.
 
The medical experts including the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Consultant Psychiatrist at the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof. Oye Gureje; Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) Yaba, Lagos, Prof. Babatunde L. Salako; and Dr. Oliver C. Ezechi, will from Tuesday November 8 to Thursday November 10 gathered at for the Institute’s 7th Annual Scientific Conference.
 
Gureje is the Keynote Speaker while Ezechi will deliver the distinguished lecture titled “That She May Survive, And Bring Fort An AIDS Free Generation.”
 
The theme of the Conference is “Achieving Health-Related Sustainable Development Goals In Nigeria: The Role of Research And Innovation.”
 
The Sub-themes are: Innovative diagnostics in the treatment of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria; The re-emergence of viral haemorrhagic fevers in West Africa; and Improving maternal and child health using skilled attendants at childbirth: the role of evidence.
 
The United Nations SDGs are 17 goals with 169 targets that all 191 UN Member States have agreed to try to achieve by the year 2030. Health has a central place in SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages, underpinned by 13 targets that cover a wide spectrum of WHO’s work. Almost all of the other 16 goals are directly related to health or will contribute to health indirectly. The new agenda, which builds on the Millennium Development Goals, aims to be relevant to all countries and focuses on improving equity to meet the needs of women, children and the poorest, most disadvantaged people.
 
NIMR is a medical research institute established by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the research institute establishment act of 1977, to promote National health and developments. Until the establishment of National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRID) in Abuja, it was the only institute in the country specifically dedicated for medical research. The vision of the NIMR is to be an institution of excellence in basic, applied and operational research for the improvement of health standard in Nigeria.
 
Salako, who was in July 28, 2016, appointed by President Muhamadu Buhari, as the DG of NIMR, was the Provost, College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan. Salako is a highly experienced nephrologist who has extensive experience in the care of patient with kidney disease, kidney transplant and hypertension.
 
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