Egwuyenga: DELSU Is Committed To Research Of Neglected Tropical Diseases

The Vice Chancellor, Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Prof Andy Ogochukwu Egwuyenga, has reiterated that the Delta State University is a research institution.

Asaba Metro reports that Prof Egwuyenga stated this recently when he received members of Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) and Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency (DSPHCDA) in his office on a courtesy visit as part of activities marking this year’s world Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) day.

The University Head said “as an institution we value research, most of our lecturers and student have been engaging in research which have gained international recognition”.

Furthermore, he stated that the University takes NTDs seriously and gives priority attention to it as the diseases are of high socio-economic impact.

Adding: “The University is a fertile ground for NTDs studies and in the fore front to see that the disease burden is brought down to the barest minimum through research.”

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Prof Andy Ogochwukwu Egwuyenga, pledged to organize a more formidable Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) in Abraka as his membership with PPSN is about 32 years.

He said: “The University has eminent Parasitologist, who work on various research areas.The visit is significant and it will rekindle the flame for members to be active”.

The Vice Chancellor said he looks forward to real enthusiasm to engage in ground breaking research that will be of benefit to the society as being practiced by advanced societies where funds are devoted to research.

In his remark, the director of advanced research centre, Prof Patrick Nmorsi welcomed the idea of collaboration with the Primary Health Development Agency hoping that the research collaboration will be sustained to cover other diseases of public importance

He said they have an available and formidable team, ready to work adding that NTDs (mostly Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) and trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness) abound in Abraka, affecting the communities causing economic burden, stunted growth and poor performance in school children.

Earlier the Chairman DSPHCDA Dr. Mrs Isioma Okobah represented by Dr. Paul Yinkore, Director Community Health Service said the visit was to seek for collaborative efforts with Delta State University towards eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases.

She noted: “One of the Agency’s mandate is to promote research with academic institutions. We look forward to collaborating with Delta State University on researches geared towards control and prevention of diseases especially the NTDs.

“We know the place of academia’s
their worth, they should be on the driver seat for any successful research.”

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Dr. Yinkore further emphasized that the NTDs programme and Mass Drug Administration (MDA) for NTDs is domiciled in DSPHCDA.

“So we cannot do without each other, the Agency will like to know to what extent the drugs distributed, is working to eliminate the NTDs such as Onchocerciasis, Schistosomniasis and Lymphatic filariasis. This can only be done through research and your role as academia’s will be of great value.

Mrs Pajiah Mofe, member, Delta State PPSN, spoke on behalf of the national PPSN President, Prof Chinyere Ukaga, that PPSN, looks forward to a more vibrant Delta State branch and they are counting on Delta State University Abraka on this.

Also for the members to be engaged in community sensitization on NTDs, to commemorate the day.

Highpoints of the visit was the cash donation from the University to PPSN and the presentation of NTDs branded T-shirts to the University’s Chapter of PPSN.