By Muhammad Amaan
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) with partners from the United States have concluded a 21-day boot camp to raise awareness among youths on HIV self-testing, Hepatitis B prevention and other diseases.
Speaking to newsmen at the closing ceremony of the bootcamp, the Director of Research at NIMR, Professor Oliver Ezechi said the programme was designed to focus on ideas of young people and solutions.
Ezechi, who is the Lead Investigator of the project, said the initiative was organised by NIMR in collaboration with the University of North Carolina and Washington University School of Medicine, both from the U.S.
He said 15 teams of young Nigerians were selected and divided into groups to focus on specific health challenges and explore different strategies to create awareness.
Prof. Ezechi said the groups included HIV testing group, HPV vaccination group, hepatitis B prevention group and hypertension with stroke group.
The director said: “This initiative is a unique research project to combat some diseases that are peculiar to Nigeria and also involving youths to proffer solutions to these health challenges.
“We are harnessing the power of young people and local knowledge to tackle some of the country’s biggest health challenges like Hepatitis B, HIV, hypertension and other diseases that are common in Nigeria.
“Following a competitive selection process, 15 teams of young Nigerians were brought together for a 21-day bootcamp and this is because we recognise the potential of young Nigerians.
“We designed this programme that specifically focused on their ideas and solutions through innovation and to increase awareness in the country.
Speaking also, a Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Joseph Tucker, emphasised the importance of youth involvement in addressing health challenges.
“There are vaccines for HPV and Hepatitis B but the problem with these vaccines is that people hesitate to take them and that is why we need to find new strategies to promote HPV vaccination and Hepatitis B prevention.
“We know research funding is limited here but with a great idea, there are always ways to get it funded.
“For the young people here, my message is the future is bright and continue all the great work that you’re doing,” he said.
Contributing also, Professor Collins Airhiheneuwa, a Public Health Researcher at Georgia State University, Atlanta, U. S., emphasised the cultural significance of the project.
Airhiheneuwa explained further that culture had a way of influencing what people did, not only negatively but positively too.
He said: “The ideas these young people bring to the table reflect their cultural value. It’s not an individual journey. We are calling on family.”
“These young people draw from global experiences, they are still Nigerians, and the ideas they brought to the table reflect their cultural value.
“It also reflects the fact that they are youths that have Nigerian identity, but they also share certain quality and value with the global population. Bringing Nigerian ideas to the global forum as a way.”
Also, Professor Juliet Ezekwe, a Professor of Medicine from Washington DC, U.S., lamented the devastating impact of preventable diseases while narrating how she lost a sister to cervical cancer.
Ezekwe said that through collaboration, the project had created a platform for young Nigerians to share their ideas and solutions for tackling critical health issues like cervical cancer, hypertension and stroke.
“Communities have the first-hand experience, the knowledge, and the resilience to combat health challenges.
“Experts and doctors can provide guidance, but true progress hinges on empowering communities through the youths,” she said.
