FG, Walter Reed Army Institute to deepen collaboration in medical research
By Kunle Sanni
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Kana, has stressed the importance of enhancing the partnership between Nigeria and the United States’ Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in the area of medical research. This collaboration is poised to benefit both military personnel and civilians in Nigeria.
Kana made these remarks during a meeting with the leadership of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research USA at the Ship House in Abuja.
He highlighted that the existing collaboration between the Walter Reed Institute of Research and the Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme has significantly strengthened the relationship between the two countries and their respective militaries.
“Your facility has been of tremendous help, not only to the military but to the entire nation,” Kana said.
He further called for an expanded partnership in research, particularly in the treatment and prevention of diseases like malaria.
“We need to focus on research for a vaccine to prevent malaria, which remains one of the leading causes of death among children under the age of five,” he stated.
Kana expressed confidence in the success of such a partnership, noting the United States’ strong track record in research and development. “I believe that a stronger partnership in research will yield substantial benefits, particularly in the development of a malaria prevention vaccine. The Ministry would be eager to launch such a research initiative,” he added.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme, Brigadier General Nathan Okeji (Rtd), commended the Walter Reed Army Institute’s excellent support, especially its contributions to controlling the spread of HIV and tuberculosis in Nigeria.
The leader of the delegation from the Walter Reed Army Institute, Air Commodore Cownell Eli Lozano, assured the Permanent Secretary of the United States’ continued commitment to supporting its relationship with Nigeria. He also expressed appreciation to the Ministry for its support and commitment, emphasizing the significant achievements that have resulted from the partnership, particularly the establishment of the Defence Reference Laboratory (DRL) in Abuja.
