UCH To Head Clinical Research In Roche’s AIR

University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan has been recognized and designated by Roche’s Advancing Inclusive Research (AIR) in Africa Site Alliance Project to head capacity building in clinical trials and research throughout the country.

According to Roche, one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies and a global leader for in-vitro diagnostics founded in 1896 and operating in Nigeria since 2008 with a mission to deliver 3 – 5 times more benefits to patients at half the cost to society, clinical trials are necessary for the discovery and development of safe and effective medicines that save countless lives every day.

Daily Trust reports that Mrs. Huwaida Bulhan, Senior Clinical Research Operations Lead of Roche, Area Africa made the revelation at the kick off of Site Alliance Project held on Thursday in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.

Mrs. Huwaida Bulhan and other experts believe that with this development, UCH Ibadan will soon be a source of opportunities for institutions in Africa.

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She stated that UCH Ibadan is one of the four Centres of Excellence in Africa that is currently undergoing capacity building in the site development programme.

As the flagship tertiary healthcare institution in Nigeria, UCH’s vision is to deliver world-class training research and services to the Nigerian public while the three other centres in Morocco, South Africa and Kenya are expected to do same in their respective territories.

While explaining what the Site Alliance Project is and how it is set to shape the ecosystem by providing capacity to bridge the gap in diversity and inclusion of Africans in clinical research, she said Roche is ready to demonstrate what Africa is capable of doing through partnership with UCH and other health organizations.

“We are ready to demonstrate what Africans are capable of doing. Our organization has a long term plan for this project. This is not only limited to Roche, it is to give UCH, Nigeria and Africa a platform to open door of opportunities for others. The capacity building is not only for research, but it will translate to quality health care in UCH. The project will equip the research team with necessary skills to compete with others internationally. It will give practitioners within the institution the opportunity to get access to innovative diagnostics and therapeutic products before they are commercially available in the country.

“Roche through UCH is going to motivate other centres in Nigeria, and we believe that once it is well done in UCH, other centres will follow suit. This is a big centre! This is a Pilate phase in West Africa and we have targeted to have different demographics based on the countries. We have in Morocco, Nairobi, Kenya and South Africa. What we aim to to do is partnership. We are looking forward to seeing how the next 12months will go in Ibadan and we believe others will take the same decision.

“This will give practitioners within the institution the opportunity to get access to innovative diagnostics and therapeutic products before they are commercially available in the country. It will also give us the opportunity to be connected with the rest of the world and gain experiences and contribute to knowledge.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of UCH, who was represented by Dr. Abiodun Adeoye, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, said UCH embraces the new development as he assured of maximum support that will make the project to be a success.

“Looking at it, we are going to be one of the Centres of Excellence in Africa. I would want to say we are going to be the first in Nigeria. We are so glad that this is coming to us at this time. I can assure you that we have the human capacity. This is a welcome development, we embrace this and we will support you wholeheartedly. I can assure you that we will give you the support that will make this project to be a success.”