Go Beyond Research, Develop Vaccine To Cure Lassa Fever, Echono Tasks Nigerian Scientists
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ABUJA – Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arch Sonny Echono, has bemoaned the scourge of Lassa Fever in parts of the country, tasking Nigerian scientists to rise beyond conducting researches to developing vaccines capable of curing the disease.
He gave the charge on Tuesday, while presenting the outcomes of the TETFund-sponsored Mega Research Project on Lassa Fever by the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Benue State.
He stressed that Lassa Fever had become a recurring disease causing major public health burden for Nigerians, hence requires urgent scientific solutions.
Reacting to the findings presented by the research team, Echono said practical interventions that would directly benefit citizens has become germane, not just research findings.
In his words, “vaccination remains the most effective means of controlling infectious diseases.
“What is the shortest route towards developing a vaccine? How can we ensure that the burden on our people is reduced? Every year, thousands of Nigerians die from Lassa fever. How can we reduce this burden?
“I know a vaccine is usually the most effective mode of disease control. You vaccinate people and they become almost immune. What is the fastest path, and how can TETFund support that drive so that we can achieve direct benefits and direct impact on the lives of Nigerians?”
He assured the researchers that TETFund would work with relevant government institutions to ensure that the findings translate into national health interventions.
“We will escalate these findings to the relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health. If we receive the validation we expect, it will strengthen our case for establishing a vaccine development centre in Nigeria,” he added.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Professor Francis Uba, said the project is one of the most significant research investments ever made in the institution.
According to him, TETFund demonstrated remarkable foresight about four years ago when it awarded the university a N250 million Mega Research Grant to investigate Lassa fever.
“This significant investment was not merely financial support; it was an expression of confidence in the capacity of Nigerian scientists and institutions to generate evidence-based solutions to one of our nation’s most persistent public health challenges.”
Professor Uba noted that Lassa fever continues to pose serious medical, social and economic challenges across Nigeria and West Africa through recurrent outbreaks that claim lives, overstretch health facilities and threaten national health security.
