Social Reporters News Service, published by IOE Publishers - CAC/BN/3400383

The Chairman of the National Health Research Ethics Committee of Nigeria (NHREC), Prof. Zubairu Iliyasu said 49 Health Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) have so far been registered in Nigeria. He said this is a far cry from what is expected. Prof. Iliyasu said this while answering questions from journalists in Benin on the state of research ethics in Nigeria. According to him, it is expected that all teaching hospitals, federal medical centres, research institutes, universities  and State Ministries of Health have HRECs with current registration with NHREC. He said while many institutions have HRECs, they are not regular in renewing their registration. NHREC has sensitized all the state governments and health institutions in public and private sector on the necessity to adhere to internationally accepted highest standards of ethical conduct of research in humans and animals. The committee has produced guidelines and a national health research code. "We have also developed polic

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Edo State chapter, has endorsed the candidacy of Hon. Dr. Joseph Ikpea for the House of Representatives, Esan South East and Esan North East federal constituency in the forthcoming General Elections. In a statement signed by the State Chairman, Prince Roy Oribhabor and the State Secretary, Marvelous Imasuen, the State CNPP said it has become necessary and pertinent to inform the good people of Esan South East and Esan North East federal constituency, that Hon. Dr. Joseph Ikpea is the  best person to represent them. "The endorsement is based on his great intellect, audacious vision, effective performance and physical courage to agitate for the downtrodden. His track records over the years propelled our concern and determination to be a part of this success story. "We believe Hon. Ikpea will provide quality representation to ameliorate the suffering of the people who are still sobering over lack of adequate representation

By Our Correspondent in Benin Worried by the chronic blood shortage and insufficient blood banks in hospitals across the state, members of the State chapter of the Association of Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria, OMPAN,  have made voluntary blood donation to the National Blood transfusion service. The exercise which took place at the Conference Hall of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ Edo state council in Benin City was the highpoint of the inauguration of the Edo state chapter of OMPAN. Speaking during the exercise, the state chairman of OMPAN, Don Ofure Osehobo who is a blogger and online media practitioner said blood donation should be a civic duty because it helps to save lives. He added that Edo OMPAN members volunteered to donate free blood to mark the formal inauguration of the chapter  as a way of showing concern for the vulnerable, the poor and underprivileged in the state. "We feel concerned about shortage of blood in our health facilities and especially

-------says attention must be given to preventive medicinre By Isaac Eranga, Benin The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has commended the revamp of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Edo State, noting that such reforms will allow for proper referral system as a catalyst to develop the health system in the country. Adewole said this while delivering his keynote address at the 2018 Alagodaro Summit in Benin City, organised by Edo State Government to celebrate the second anniversary of the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. He commended the Obaseki-led administration for focusing on health care, pledging the commitment of the federal government in ensuring that the state achieves her aim of having 200 primary health centres in the state by the year 2020. Adewole, while buttressing the importance of PHCs to the society, decried that their nonfunctional status has overstretched the general and teaching hospitals which are meant for complicated ailments. The health minister

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on security agencies to investigate the incessant theft of part of the Instrument Landing System (ILS)  being installed at the Benin Airport, and directed them to bring the culprits to book. The Governor gave the directive after inspecting facilities and components that make up the ILS being installed by the state government in collaboration with relevant federal government agencies. The installation of the facilities is expected to make room for 24-hour operations at the Benin Airport. Before inspecting the facilities, the governor had a closed-door meeting with the Commander, 107 Air Maritime Group, of the Nigerian Airforce, Wing Commander, Fatai Ganiyu, who later accompanied the governor on inspection of the equipment, with officials of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). Obaseki directed the Wing Commander and State Director of the State Security Servic

By Our Correspondent in Uyo The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has received an approval from the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Independent  National Electoral Commission to be part of the body observing  the forthcoming general elections in the state. The decision for Christian Association of Nigeria to be part of the observing body in the 2019 general elections is to ensure that  the right procedure is taken to parties’ to elect the right persons into any political offices. The decision was disclosed by the state Chairman, Rev. Ndueso  Ekwere earlier today in Uyo at a seminar organized by CAN to lecture Christians and Church leaders on how to become  election observers. Rev. Ekwere  said  CAN would not display any apathy in Nigerian politics, as this is the worst administration where Christians have been slaughtered, experienced  forceful seizure and grazing of farmland by the herdsmen, women abused by the herdsmen among other vices. “Chr

The National Health Research Ethics Committee of Nigeria (NHREC), was  established in order to ensure that Nigerians are protected from exploitation and harm while at the same time encouraging their participation in ethically conducted research for discovery of vaccines, drugs and methods for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of the citizenry. The Chairman of NHREC, Prof. Zubeiru Iliyasu spoke with the SOCIAL REPORTERS NEWS SERVICE about NHREC's milestone, achievement and challenges. Excerpts: Q - What is NHREC doing to attract government to health research ethics? A - NHREC (National Health Research Ethics Committee) of Nigeria was established by government through the National Health Act of 2014. This act provided for the establishment of the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) by the Honourable Minister of Health. It specified the composition, roles and responsibilities of the committee. The NHREC derives its powers from this piece of government legi

By Our Correspondent As part of measures towards strengthening the research ethics review and clinical trials oversight system at the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria, a consortium consisting of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Center for Bioethics and Research (CBR), Council of Health Research Ethics Development (COHRED) and National Health Research Ethics Committee of Nigeria (NHREC) have cillaborated in deepening research ethics in Nigeria (DREIN) by providing short, medium- and long-term training and mentoring of the administrative and technical staff of Research Ethics Committees (RECs) in Nigeria.  Speaking with journalists, the Chairman of the National Health Research Ethics Committee of Nigeria, Professor Zubeiru Iliyasu, said Deepening Research Ethics in Nigeria (DREIN) project is funded by European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP). He said the project seek to spread information about research ethics in N