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The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) and Plateau State University, Bokkos have met to discuss partnership in research and medical laboratory science education.

At the meeting which held at the IHVN Campus in Abuja, PLASU Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shadrack Best said that the courtesy visit to the Institute is in furtherance of their desire to learn and embrace best practices in virology.

“We run academic programs, we do research, we have laboratories seeking upgrade and transformation in tandem with modern health practices. We are growing and very ambitious as we grow. We are looking for people to hold our hands. Particularly, we have a Faculty of Medical Sciences with degree programs in nursing, medical laboratory science and public health. It is becoming a stepping stone to our medical program because we intend to receive our pioneer medical students in October or November this year.”

Prof. Best requested for support for the university’s medical laboratory program in terms of equipment and internship or mentorship of its students. He thanked the IHVN CEO, Dr. Patrick Dakum for his diligent service in improving the health of Nigerians.

While welcoming the guests, Dr. Dakum said that the Institute is committed to its mission of being a center of excellence in capacity building, research and ensuring equitable access to quality health services through innovative and evidence-based services.

He traced the Institute’s long-standing relationship with Plateau State since inception and the establishment of the Plateau State Human Virology Research Center (PLASVIREC) named after the co-discoverer of the HIV virus and founder of the Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore, Prof. Robert Gallo.

Dr. Dakum stated that IHVN is providing technical support to PLASVIREC.  

“PLASVIREC is already doing some research and it will be best fit for the research arm of your medical school.”

He expressed the willingness of the Institute to partner in equipping students with skills in laboratory equipment maintenance, quality assurance and grant applications.

Also present at the meeting was PLASU Head of Internal Administration Vice Chancellor’s Office, Yitkyim Datong, IHVN Director Special Projects, Dr. Aderonke Agbaje, IHVN Technical Advisor, Mr. Abubakar Abdullahi and Coordinator of the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), Dr. Evaesi Okpokoro amongst others.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Report 2024, Nigeria is among the eight countries that account for two-thirds of the global tuberculosis burden with an estimated 467,000 new tuberculosis cases in 2023.

These figures go beyond statistics, they represent the lives of many Nigerians who are infected with tuberculosis though the disease is curable and treatment is free.

Tuberculosis Survivor, Mrs. Comfort Nahum-Galadima, a mother of three and a resident of Jiwa community in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja says that many misconceptions cause tuberculosis to thrive in communities.

When Comfort became ill in May, 2024 with unexplained weight loss, constant fever, cough and drenching night sweats, she assumed that it was malaria and typhoid.

“I hardly slept at night, I would cough continuously till my ribs ache. I started losing weight. At first, I went to the chemists in my community and they gave me some medications for cough, malaria and typhoid,” she says.

However, despite spending money on medications worth more than ₦50,000.00 in four months, her condition deteriorated.

“My neighbours were asking me if I wasn’t eating well, some thought that I was pregnant because of the loss of weight. I became a bag of bones. I did not know what was wrong with me. I even lost my voice. I could barely speak audibly. Some others thought it was HIV, pneumonia or assumed that I was a victim of witchcraft. My children were praying for me. They used to say, ‘Mummy you would not die.’ It looked hopeless. I could barely walk or do any house chores. My husband and children started doing the work at home and I could not go to work anymore,” she explains.

In October 2024, a Patent Medicine Vendor in her community, Mr Okafor Idoko, whom they call “doctor” flagged her symptoms as presumptive tuberculosis. Mr. Idoko had been engaged as one of the private providers supported with funding from the Global Fund Nigeria Tuberculosis HIV Reach, Integration and Impact Project (N-THRIP) to identify community members with presumptive tuberculosis and link them up for screening, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis.

After her sputum was collected, Mrs. Nahum Galadima was connected with a community worker and Linkage Coordinator, Mr. Samson Temitope who works with the GF NTHRIP project under project sub-recipient, Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH).

The Linkage Coordinator ensured that her sputum was taken to a laboratory for diagnosis and that she also went for an X-ray at the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), a Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) center close to her community.

Comfort began treatment immediately she was diagnosed with tuberculosis.

“I received treatment from October 2024 to March 2025. Throughout that period, Samson followed up with me to make sure that I take my drugs as prescribed and that I am doing well. I had my drug refills from NIPRD in batches, not all at once and went with him for follow-up visits in the hospital,” she says.

Comfort’s family were also screened and given Tuberculosis Prevention Therapy (TPT) to prevent the spread of the disease to her family members.

“I received all these services for free and I enjoyed the support of my family members. They made sure that I got the needed rest. I was also taken to my family house in Minna, Niger State, to recover fully. The doctor had advised me to take a lot of protein in my diet and my mother and other family members provided this for me,” she says.

Both Mrs Nahum-Galadima and her husband are primary school teachers and say that they would not have afforded tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment with their meagre resources.

“We are grateful to everyone who has made treatment possible. When my wife was sick, it was a challenging time for the family. I had to take over all the house chores, school preparation of the children and school runs before going to work. I like to advise those who have tuberculosis to adhere to their medications and the guidance of health care workers,” Mr. Nahum says.

Comfort is now an advocate for tuberculosis in her community. She encourages people with persistent cough to get screened and she speaks in her church, with friends and with neighbours about tuberculosis.

“Some people find it hard to accept that tuberculosis is a disease that should be treated. They think that it is a spiritual attack. I tell them that while praying, they can get treatment too.”

The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) is the Principal Recipient of the Global Fund Integrated TB and HIV grant and works with the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP) and sub-recipients across 36 states and the FCT  to adapt innovative services to find and treat tuberculosis.

In the Federal Capital Territory, IHVN partners with ARFH to conduct door to door visits and community outreaches in settlements, schools and motor parks. A portable Xray machine is also utilized to identify infections that may not be easily noticed with a sputum test.

ARFH State Technical Assistant, Dr. Uche Ekwugha says that in the FCT, 175 patent medicine vendors, community pharmacies, traditional birth attendants, stand-alone laboratories and faith-based organizations have been engaged to support screening and diagnosis in communities.

“These centers are linked to 95 DOT centers spread across the FCT,” he adds.

IHVN Senior Program Manager, Dr. Temitope Adetiba highlights that under the Global Fund–N-THRIP project (2024–2026), IHVN-supported facilities tested over 3.5 million individuals in 2024, resulting in the detection and notification of more than 350,000 tuberculosis cases across Nigeria.

“Given that over 60% of Nigerians initially seek healthcare through the private sector, IHVN has prioritized a robust Public-Private Mix (PPM) strategy to leverage the reach of private healthcare providers in TB detection and treatment,” he explains. “This strategy includes the engagement of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs), with over 15,000 vendors and Traditional Birth Attendants and Healers mentored and linked to TB diagnostic and treatment facilities nationwide.”

Dr. Adetiba emphasizes that collaboration with private health providers and community-based organizations is a game-changer in expanding access to quality-assured TB and HIV services, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations. He further notes that strengthening these partnerships has proven instrumental in reducing stigma and discrimination within communities.

In fostering an excellent work culture and staff performance, the Executive Management of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has initiated the “Employee Recognition Awards” to recognize “Employees of the Month” and “Employee of the Year.”

According to the IHVN Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Olu Alabi, this recognition covers overall employee performance in dressing, innovation, teamwork, productivity, efficiency, leadership and interpersonal skills, punctuality, and adherence to company values and principles, amongst other things.

For February 2025, IHVN Celebrates, Ademola Blessing Ajayi, Temitope Olukomogbon, Vincent Emmanuel, Kwaghe Kwalgha Jonah, Stanley Idakwo, Chigolum-Chidi David-Onuoha.

Abubakar Iliyasu Bichi and Paschal Lojah whose performance stood out in their teams.

Three hearty cheers to our February star performers!

The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has expressed its continued commitment to ending tuberculosis in Nigeria through the expansion of tuberculosis (TB) case detection, community-based interventions and leveraging digital innovation.

Project Director of the Global Fund Tuberculosis and HIV Grant at the Institute, Dr. Olayemi Olupitan stated this at the pre-World TB Day press briefing in Abuja. She said that the Institute utilized Global Fund support from 2021 -2023 to optimize over 400 Gene Xpert diagnostic sites and is currently supporting the deployment of more than 190 portable digital Xray systems enabled with artificial intelligence for TB screening in high burden areas.

“Between 2021-2024 alone, IHVN-supported facilities tested 3.5 million individuals leading to the detection and notification of more than 350,000 tuberculosis cases, contributing to the country’s national case notification targets. The integration of digital screening tools, such as the Mobile Application for TB Screening (MATS), has further enhanced TB reporting from the private sector.”

Dr. Olupitan explained that the public-private partnership initiative championed by the Institute has resulted in capacity building and engagement of 15,000 patent and proprietary medicine vendors, 1000 pharmacists, 4,000 private hospitals and faith-based clinics and 1000 traditional healers and birth attendants in tuberculosis diagnosis, treatment and community screening.

“Under the Global Fund 2024-2026 Grant, strengthening TB and HIV integration is a key priority. In 2024 alone, over 270,000 pregnant women were screened for TB and HIV in both community settings and unconventional sites enabling early diagnosis and initiation of prevention therapy were necessary.”

Also at the press briefing, the Executive Secretary of the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism, Mr. Ibrahim Tajudeen stressed the need for sufficient funding to address tuberculosis in Nigeria.

Stakeholders at the briefing including the Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Mr. Amobi Ogah, Director of Public Health, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, Representative of the World Health Organization in Nigeria, Dr. Mya Sapal and the Acting Board Chairman of Stop TB Partnership in Nigeria, Dr. Queen Ogbuji, all assured Nigerians of their commitment to ending tuberculosis in Nigeria.

According to the 2024 World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis Report, Nigeria ranks first in Africa and sixth globally among the 30 high burden tuberculosis countries. The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Yes! We Can End TB – Commit, Invest, Deliver.  Apart from press-briefings, other activities to commemorate the day include, community outreach and sensitization activities and a road show.

To enhance the capacity of Ondo State to respond to lassa fever outbreaks, the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has collaborated with Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Ondo State Ministry of Health to strengthen the capacity of the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) at Akure for Lassa fever diagnosis and management.

At the launch of the optimised laboratory in Ondo State, IHVN Epidemiology & Surveillance Manager for the SECURE-Nigeria  Project, Mr. Saiki Adinoyi Musa explained that Ondo State has been a hotspot for Lassa fever outbreaks, contributing 32% of Nigeria’s confirmed cases in 2023. Akure South Local Government Area recorded the highest number of cases, underscoring the urgency of improved diagnostic and response measures.

“Previously, patient samples from IDH Akure had to be transported to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo, creating logistical challenges, delays in test results, and prolonged turnaround times that negatively impacted patient management. Recognizing these issues, the Ondo State Ministry of Health (SMoH) advocated for the optimization of the existing molecular laboratory at IDH.”

Mr. Saiki added that with support from IHVN implemented Strengthening Global Health Security Agenda in Nigeria (SECURE-Nigeria), the laboratory was optimized to conduct Lassa fever diagnostics, supportive tests, and enhance outbreak response mechanisms with funding from  the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -Division for Global Health Protection (US-CDC DGHP),  

“The facility received state-of-the-art equipment, including A BIOBASE Class III Biosafety Cabinet (Glove Box) and Hematology and Chemistry Auto Analyzers for supportive investigation. IHVN provided quality laboratory equipment commodities, alongside quality management training for laboratory scientists for accuracy and reliability in Lassa fever testing. We appreciate the government for providing an enabling environment for partners to collaborate with us.”

At the event, Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr Adeniran Ikuomola said that the new laboratory and equipment would enable the state to detect cases of Lassa fever on time and in turn reduce the rate of fatality.

At the occasion, NCDC Director General Dr Jide Idris, who was represented by National Incident Manager for Lassa Fever Emergency Operation Center Dr Yetunde Abioye, said more effort will be made to ensure the laboratory’s continuous functionality.