Nigeria approves environmental release of Genetically Modified PBR Cowpea

The Nigeria government has approved for environmental release, the Pod Borer Resistant Cowpea (popularly called beans) developed by the Institute for Agricultural Research, (IAR) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

The approval was contained in a decision document issued by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) granting permit for the environmental release of the PBR Cowpea which has been genetically modified to resist the insect pest - Maruca Vitrata.

The approval means the crop is safe and poses no harm to humans and the environment and can now be submitted to the National Variety Release Committee for consideration and registration as a commercial crop in Nigeria.

The PBR Cowpea, by this development, becomes the first genetically modified food crop to be approved in the country.

IAR in partnership with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) commenced the research to address the deadly Maruca Vitrata attacks on beans in 2009 after series of efforts to use conventional breeding methods failed to produce results.

After 10 years of extensive research, government has deemed it fit to introduce the crop variety into the nation’s agricultural seed system having met all regulatory stipulations and scientific procedures.

The introduction will address the national cowpea demand deficit of about 500,000 tonnes and also improve the national productivity average of 350kg/hectare.

At a public display of the approval, the coordinating agency for agricultural research in Nigeria, the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) said after many years of research, the council was proud to present to Nigerians the first home-grown genetically modified food crop which has passed all necessary scientific tests and posed no danger to human health or the environment.

“As the coordinating agency for the over 15 agricultural research institutes in Nigeria, we have identified modern biotechnology as one scientific tool whose potentials can help improve crop and animal production and we have done this with all sense of responsibility, bearing in mind both national and international protocols that guide the deployment of genetic modification.” the Executive Secretary of the ARCN said.

The Executive Director IAR, Prof. I. U Abubakar in a presentation summarising the process that lead to the development of the PBR cowpea said the decision to venture into genetic modification in cowpea breeding was as a result of pest infestation that has over the years made cowpea farming difficult as farmers get less for their efforts and even have their lives exposed to danger due to chemical spraying to keep the pest away.

“Cowpea is the most important food grain legume in Nigeria. The low yield of the crop in Nigeria is due to many constraints particularly pod boring insects which cause up to 90% yield loss in severe infestation cases.”

Dr Abdourhamane Issoufou, AATF Country Director said since the mid 1980s, cowpea scientists have declared maruca as the main limiting factor of cowpea production in Africa hence the intervention of the AATF based on its principles of providing access to appropriate technologies by small scale farmers. 

“AATF was able to obtain access to the Cry1Ab gene used for this modification on humanitarian basis and worked with institutions in Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Malawi for the transformation. Today, Nigeria stands tall in the comity of nations for effectively managing and bringing to fruition this dream.

The research results have shown that the PBR-cowpea is safe for human and animals, completely resistant to Maruca; leads to yield increase of 20% with fewer sprays of chemical insecticides,” he noted.

Prof. Alex Akpa, Acting Director General, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) said that by the approval, Nigeria has registered her name among the global scientific community as a country capable of finding solutions to her challenges.

“After 10 years of laboratory works and on-field trials, Nigerian scientists have developed its first genetically modified food crop, the PBR Cowpea, we are proud to be associated with this noble development” Akpa said.

MORE ON PBR; http://www.aatf-africa.org/

South Sudan vaccinates health workers against Ebola

The Ministry of Health of South Sudan, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other partners, today started vaccinating health workers and other front-line responders against Ebola as part of preparedness measures to fight the spread of the disease. 

Vaccination began in Yambio, Gbudue State, but health workers in Tombura, Yei and Nimule as well as the capital city, Juba, will also be offered the vaccine. These are high-risk areas bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), now experiencing its tenth outbreak of Ebola. The outbreak began 1 August 2018. Neighbouring countries have not reported any cases of Ebola, but preparedness is crucial.

As part of these preparedness activities, South Sudan received 2 160 doses of the Ebola vaccine (rVSV-ZEBOV) from Merck, the vaccine developer. The vaccine offers protection against the Zaire strain of the virus, which is the one affecting DRC at present.

“It is absolutely vital that we are prepared for any potential case of Ebola spreading beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “WHO is investing a huge amount of resources into preventing Ebola from spreading outside DRC and helping governments ramp up their readiness to respond should any country have a positive case of Ebola.”

Vaccination is one of a raft of preparedness measures South Sudan is putting into place. WHO has deployed more than 30 staff members to support these activities.

In particular, WHO has helped train 60 health workers in good clinical practice principles and protocol procedures to administer the yet-to-be-licensed Ebola vaccine. To detect any travellers entering the country who may be infected with the virus, the Ministry of Health, with the support of its partners, has established 17 screening points. Nearly 1 million people have been screened to date.

WHO is also supporting engagement with communities, active surveillance for the disease at the community and health facility levels, strengthening capacity for infection prevention and control and case management, and supporting dissemination of Ebola information through the media. Local laboratory capacity to test samples taken from people suspected of having Ebola is also being strengthened. Protective gear for responders has been stockpiled in a dedicated warehouse.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in addition to its work making the Ebola vaccine stockpile available, is providing US$2 million to support the WHO’s vaccination efforts in countries neighbouring the DRC, including South Sudan.

“Although research is ongoing, the evidence so far suggests the Ebola vaccine is a highly effective tool to help stop epidemics and can be used to prevent this national outbreak from becoming a regional one,” said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi. “Vaccinating front-line workers and health workers in South Sudan border regions will be crucial: an outbreak in South Sudan would be deeply concerning.”

Uganda began vaccinating its front-line workers in November 2018. So far, more than 2 600 health workers in eight high-risk districts have been immunized. In DRC, more than 66 000 people have been vaccinated – more than 21,000 of them are health and other front-line workers. Rwanda also plans to vaccinate its front-line responders.

The yet-to-be-licensed rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine has been shown to be highly protective against the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus in a major trial. Though not yet commercially licensed, the vaccine is being provided under what is known as “compassionate use” in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in North Kivu province of DRC as part of recommendations from the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization. This vaccine was also used in the Ebola outbreak in Equateur province of DRC in May–July 2018. 

Copyright WHO 

Federal Government launches WHO’s Revised Third Generation Country Cooperation Strategy

By Chika Onyesi

The World Health Organisation in collaboration with the Federal Government has launched a revised third generation Nigeria Country Cooperation Strategy (CCSIII). 

The revised Country Cooperation Strategy is in line with WHO’s Thirteenth General Program of Work which seeks to achieve the global goal of population coverage of essential health services, protection from health emergencies, and better health.

Also launched at the event were second National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP II), Crucial Universal Health Coverage documents and the official roll-out of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund implementation plan for six Nigerian pilot states;  Niger, Osun, Abia, Katsina, Edo, Yobe and the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking at the launch, President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma called on all state governors to put the necessary mechanisms in place to ensure improved health care for all Nigerians

 “This administration will continue to support the health sector and ensure the welfare of all Nigerians.” Said the president 

While appreciating the WHO for their efforts in advancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire described the launch as the beginning of the implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF). 

‘‘The launch is historic’ as it showcases Nigeria’s strategic plan towards achieving Universal Health Coverage’’ he says

The Officer in Charge (OIC) of the WHO Nigeria Country Office, Dr. Clement Peter expressed his gratitude to the Government of Nigeria for the strides made so far towards achieving UHC. 

“The revised CCSIII is strategically aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals, the National Health Act 2014, the National Health Policy 2016, Nigeria’s Economic and Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020, and the NSHDP II,” he said.  

The revised CCSIII will also be used to communicate WHO’s support to Nigeria, formulate WHO’s country work plan, advocate for and mobilise resources, shape the health dimension of the UN Sustainable Development Partnership Framework (UNSDPF) and coordinate sustainable partnerships towards UHC in Nigeria.

NMA, NANNAM move to restore professional harmony in health sector

By Chika Onyesi

The Nigerian Medical Association and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives have continued to explore options to resolve the long standing rivalry among professional bodies in the health sector.

In a recent move to achieve this, both associations established an inter-professional harmony committee to investigate the strained relationship between doctors and nurses and develop viable solutions to end the crisis.

According to the NMA President, Dr. Francis Faduyile, the move is aimed ensuring a patient centered health care system devoid of rancour and conflict among healthcare professionals.

  ‘‘The committee was set up to come up with recommendations that would end rivalry in the health sector for the benefit of Nigerians says Dr. Faduyile’’

The committees terms of reference include identifying the root cause of inter professional disharmony in the health system, proffer actionable solutions to identified issues and suggest any other means of improving nurse/doctor relationship.

In a brief ceremony to present its recommendations to the NMA and NANNM, Chairman of the inter-professional harmony committee, Dr. Solomon Avidime said he was satisfied with the cooperation of both bodies and the level of work done by his team.

  ‘‘We concluded our investigations in record time and we have developed some strategies that will put an end to the health sector crisis. Nigerians should expect better patients centered healthcare system without acrimony, i am convinced the report would achieve its aim.’’ Dr. Avidime said.

The NMA president while receiving the recommendations said the report was a product of the desire for peaceful coexistence among health professionals.

 “I am happy that that committee has been able to come out with some recommendations and they have been able to conclude the terms of reference given to them. And that shows that the interest of Nigerians is paramount in both the membership of the Nigerian nurses as well as the Nigerian Medical and Dental Practioners. I am delighted by the support that we have by our sister association, the nurses. I am very positive that very soon all the disharmony, the rivalry and all the hiccups that we are seeing in the health sector would be a thing of the past,” Said Dr. Faduyile.

Meanwhile the President of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Mr, Abdulrafiu Adeniji, called for commitment from both associations for a successful implementation of the report after due  consultations.

  “I believe this sitting would go a long way to clear certain erroneous believes. If this is how tranquil and harmonious doctors, nurses and other health workers can actually work in the hospital, then medical tourism will be a thing of the past.” he said

For now the professional bodies plan to consult relevant government agencies and other health professional bodies for a review and adoption of the committee’s recommendations.