By Ojoma Akor
The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) has commenced a research to identify an effective vaccine for HIV.
This makes Nigeria the first in West Africa to participate in a research for a HIV vaccine in the sub-region.
Despite the burden of HIV globally , there is currently no vaccine for the disease .
The Executive Director, International Research Centre of Excellence of IHVN, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, made the disclosure Tuesday in Abuja while briefing newsmen as part of activities to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the institute.
She said for the last 30 years, HIV vaccine research has been ongoing without consideration for the particular virus in West Africa.
She said the research is significant because before now countries in Eastern and Southern Africa have been participating in HIV vaccine research but that the strain of the virus causing HIV there is not the same with the one causing it in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa.
She said, ” Nigeria for the first time is the only country in West Africa that is now participating to identify an effective HIV vaccine. Because we can’t end the pandemic without vaccines. We can do well with the drugs, but after a while, individuals really face a lot of things in terms of taking drugs long term. This is absolutely important in terms of IHVN’s contribution to the research to identify a vaccine that also works for Nigeria and the whole of West Africa. ”
“The HIV that is in eastern and southern Africa, is very different from the ones that we have here. For the last 30 years, research has been ongoing without considering what we have here. IHVN has put Nigeria and West Africa on the map.”
The Chief Executive Officer ( CEO) of IHVN, Dr Patrick Dakum, said the institute is working towards setting up a center for learning and development that will transform some of it short term trainings into long term training, and also partner with local and international universities to award degrees.
He said since the establishment of the institute in October 2004, it has expanded from six testing and treatment sites to testing millions, and treating thousands of people .
He said the institute now has two centers; A public health Implementation Center, and the International Research Center of Excellence.
He said it has also grown from just focusing on HIV, TB and malaria to non- communicable diseases.
He said, “IHVN over the years, has created a niche for itself, especially in the area of building the capacity of laboratory scientists all over the country. We have also done training in various aspects in clinical management and palliative care.”
He added that IHVN has been supporting the federal government and several establishments on training ,setting up centres and supporting various programs and responses.
The Chief operating officer of the organization , Mensah said the institute has received over $300 million in grants and funding for research and programmes in Nigeria since inception.
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