Presidency welcomes report of Nigeria’s COVID-19 research team

Presidency welcomes report of Nigeria’s COVID-19 research team

The Presidency has welcomed a team of Nigerian professors and scientists investigating effectiveness and role of Ivermectin drug in the treatment of the novel coronavirus.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commended the efforts of the team of Nigerian professors and scientists investigating the effectiveness of, and roles that Ivermectin drug can play in the treatment of the Coronavirus disease.

Advertisement

The team, led by Femi Babalola, the Principal investigator, and Chris Bode, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, which is composed of Nigerian scholars at home and abroad, briefed him on their report, which has also been submitted to the World Health Organisation and NAFDAC.

The Vice President was excited that Nigeria and Nigerians “are at the cutting edge of scientific research into the COVID-19 treatment.”

Advertisement

According to him, “we have an opportunity here and I am so fascinated to hear this drug has been used in the treatment of River Blindness in this country.”

He said that with the report, Nigeria is at an advantage both in knowledge and availability of the drug, especially since Ivermectin has been found useful not only in the treatment of COVID-19, but also as a prophylactic medication.

He assured the team that the Federal Government will explore further ways to support the research for the benefit of Nigerians and humanity generally, while also advancing the effective funding of scientific research in the country.

Advertisement

Members of the group named IVERCOVID Research Group are the Principal Investigator, Femi Babalola, an Ophthalmologist and surgeon; the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Chris Bode; the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council at LUTH, Lanre Adeyemo; a US-based Clinical Pharmacologist, Adesuyi Ajayi; two project virologists: S.A Omilabu and Olumuyiwa Salu; and also the Project Coordinator, Felix Alakaloko.

Babalola and Bode commended government for encouraging the research, thanking the Vice President for his support.

The report was titled “A randomised controlled trial for the repurposing of Ivermectin in the management of COVID-19.”

The study, carried out at LUTH, followed the report of a 5,000-fold reduction in viral load by Australian workers with in-vitro use of Ivermectin on COVID-19 in culture.

Advertisement

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the VP, Laolu Akande, in a statement, explained that the PI had worked extensively with Ivermectin on the Onchocerciasis-River Blindness control programme.

The study, according to him, revealed that the mechanism of action of Ivermectin include “inhibiting viral entry into cells nucleus and direct suppression of viral RNA load of SARS CoV 2.”

The report stressed that Ivermectin “is not meant to replace other COVID-19 measures such as social distancing, face masking and hygiene or vaccinations.” The group stated that it had also forwarded its findings to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

 

Advertisement
No Comments

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.