3 weeks ago
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Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has directed cardinal national probe institutions to transmission resources toward supporting a landmark survey connected a imaginable cure for encephalon cancer.
Institutions tasked with this mandate see the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT).
The directive followed the find of a promising molecule believed to beryllium effectual against respective cancers, peculiarly glioblastoma multiforme, the astir assertive signifier of encephalon cancer.
Dr. Salako issued the bid during a virtual gathering with heads of the probe institutes and the Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training (CAMRET), a probe portion of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
He described the breakthrough arsenic a pivotal measurement toward achieving the healthcare translation docket of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“The phytomedicine assemblage indispensable beryllium prioritised successful unlocking Nigeria’s healthcare worth chain. A committee has already been established to bring unneurotic investors, probe institutions, and stakeholders to accelerate advancement successful the pharmaceutical sector,” Dr. Salako stated.
The curate urged the CAMRET squad to taxable a ceremonial connection to the ministry outlining their assets needs, assuring them of the national government’s afloat backing for the ongoing research. He besides commended the scientists for their dedication and urged them to guarantee the find translates into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
Presenting the findings, Dr. Amina Yusuf Jega, squad pb astatine CAMRET, revealed that the progressive compound was extracted from a works indigenous to Northwestern Nigeria.
“The extract was recovered to destruct encephalon crab compartment lines wrong 48 hours astatine a circumstantial dosage,” Dr. Jega disclosed.
She explained that the squad successfully identified the plant’s progressive compounds, adding that the extract is presently being tested against breast, liver, colon, cervical, leukemia, and lung cancers—all showing encouraging results.
Dr. Jega emphasised the urgency of the research, noting that glioblastoma multiforme has a median endurance complaint of conscionable 15 months owed to cause absorption and constricted attraction options.
The Director-General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, lauded the minister’s punctual effect and pledged NICRAT’s afloat collaboration.
“As soon arsenic the curate received connection of the discovery, helium directed america to scope retired to the researchers. NICRAT is committed to supporting this inaugural successful each imaginable way,” Prof. Malami said.
NIPRD Director-General, Dr. Obi Adigwe, stated that Dr. Salako had approved the inclusion of a CAMRET typical successful a national delegation to China for a specialised two- to three-week grooming successful aboriginal 2026.
“Stanford University volition besides beryllium visiting Nigeria successful February 2026 for a footwear campy connected translational research, and the curate has approved the information of a CAMRET representative. This task volition beryllium treated arsenic a nationalist priority,” Dr. Adigwe added.
Similarly, NIMR Director-General, Prof. John Obafunwa, affirmed his institute’s readiness to collaborate, peculiarly successful conducting objective trials and evaluating the extract’s imaginable for quality use.
“If this probe tin widen encephalon crab endurance rates beyond the existent 12 to 15 months, it volition people a large advancement,” Prof. Obafunwa stated.
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