Institute to establish learning Centre for HIV management, public health

The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), has unveiled plans to create a learning and development center focused on providing certified training in HIV management and public health. This announcement was made by Chief Executive Director Patrick Dakum during a press conference in Abuja, marking the institute’s 20th anniversary.

The center aims to establish a sustainable approach to enhancing Nigeria’s response to public health issues. Dakum stated, “In addition to our past achievements, we are eager to spearhead the establishment of a center dedicated to learning and development that can evolve some of our short-term training programs into more comprehensive, long-term courses. Our goal is to collaborate with universities, both within Nigeria and internationally.”

He emphasized the need for formal certification in areas such as HIV management, both theoretically and practically. “We are exploring the possibility of offering a diploma in health-related courses and even a Master’s degree in public health. While we won’t become a university, we will serve as a center that hosts and engages in such academic programs. We believe our facilities are well-equipped to support this initiative.”

Dakum indicated that the center would focus on delivering accredited courses and that partnerships with relevant government agencies would be established for certification once the center is fully operational. He expressed hope that the physical infrastructure for the center would be completed within the next two years.

Dr. Olalekan Mensah, the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at IHVN, acknowledged the government’s support for research funding but highlighted the ongoing need for increased financial resources. “We provide services in government-run clinics and hospitals at various levels, which have some basic funding to support our operations. The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research relies heavily on federal funding, and while our teaching hospitals and universities are designated as research institutions, there is always room for improvement. We definitely seek more engagement from the government,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, Executive Director of the International Research Centre of Excellence, underscored the institute’s commitment to efforts aimed at discovering an effective HIV vaccine, which is crucial for ending the pandemic. She pointed out that the HIV strains found in Nigeria differ significantly from those in Eastern and Southern Africa, which highlights the necessity for localized research.

“We are proud to be the only country in West Africa involved in initiatives to find an effective HIV vaccine. While antiretroviral drugs can manage the condition, long-term adherence poses significant challenges. Developing a vaccine tailored to Nigeria and West Africa is essential for tackling this issue effectively,” Abimiku stated.

She noted that for the past three decades, research has often overlooked Nigeria’s unique context. “IHVN has successfully positioned Nigeria and West Africa on the global map in terms of HIV research. We are making notable contributions to ensure that our region is adequately represented in global health discussions,” she added.