By Enyinna Omoke, Abakaliki
The project team of Equi-Resp Africa Research Project hosted by David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences(DUFUHS), Uburu in collaboration with the Institute of Child Health AE-FUTHA(ICH) was officially flagged off on 11th of June, at Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.
In attendance during the Flag-off were medical experts from all walks of life, including the Vice Chancellor of DUFUHS,who also doubles as the principal investigator of the project,Dist.Prof.Jesse Uneke; the CMD of AE-FUTHA,Prof.Robinson Onoh,who is the Chief host.
Others are the CMD of DUFUTH,Prof.Uzoma Agwu; the Director of ICH AE-FUTHA,Prof.Thecla Ezeonu, traditional rulers, students among other medical professionals present during the Flag-off to make it colorful.
In her address,the Director of ICH, Prof Ezeonu, stated that the Institute of Child Health was established for the purpose of promoting child health through research, training and health service delivery,and also to identify factors that are largely responsible for child’s mortality in Ebonyi State and its horizon and employ necessary actions to mitigate these factors by providing preventive healthcare services through immunization and health information, for women, children, and the concerned community, among others.
Speaking about the project in his address, Prof Uneke, explained that EQUI–RESP Africa Project brought together an Interdisciplinary network of researchers ,technical experts, Policymakers,NGOs, Programme officers, among others to implement a programme of research and interventions for respiratory diseases over 4 years, adding that it will be implemented in 5 health facilities with over 1,000 beneficiaries.These facilities includes: ICH AE-FUTHA,PHC Nkwagu, Maternal and Child Health Centre, Okposhi Umuoghara, Maternal and Child Health Centre,Unagboke Azugwu,Mother and Child Centre, DUFUTH Uburu.
The Principal investigator also established that respiratory diseases,such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia,asthma,lung cancer, among others, are all prevalent in Nigeria, causing large burden of both acute and chronic morbidity,as well as mortality across the country.
He further added that Equi-Resp Africa Project is the acronym for improving Equity in Respiratory Disease Outcomes in Africa using Data-Driven tools, which is an intervention/implementation research project.
The Vice Chancellor added that the respiratory diseases are worst among the poor ones,who do not have access to affordable healthcare, occasioned by gaps in evidence, policies, inequitable outcomes,poor access to affordable healthcare,others
On his part,the CMD of AE-FUTHA,Prof.Robinson Onoh used the opportunity to appreciate the principal investigator,who doubles as the Vice Chancellor of DUFUHS,Prof.Jesse Uneke for his resilience, unwavering support and commitment in research both within and outside the country in order to render quality healthcare service to humanity.
Prof.Onoh further appreciated the Director of ICH,Prof.Thecla Ezeonu for her passion to making the place to grow to the level that people are making reference of it across the world, saying that AE-FUTHA ICH has saved a lot of lives in this country .He also noted that the research requires training of nurses and doctors to manage respiratory diseases.
Also lending her voice,the CMD of DUFUTH,Prof.Uzoma Agwu said she was excited on receiving the invitation to be part of the program, appreciating DUFUHS VC and ICH Director for their passion for children’s health.
