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It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing away of Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu, CON, CFR, who was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN). This sad event occurred on Monday, 2nd October 2023.

Professor Umaru Shehu was an exemplary figure, a distinguished physician, academic, and administrator whose profound impact extended far beyond our organization. His vast clinical expertise in the field of community medicine was an invaluable asset to both the IHVN Board and our beloved nation, Nigeria.

Professor Shehu’s remarkable journey in the academic and healthcare sectors included achievements such as his education at the prestigious University of Ibadan and the University of Liverpool, where he honed his skills. He also became a fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College. Furthermore, he served as the Deputy Vice  Chancellor (Academic) of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, from 1977 to 1978. He was later appointed as the Vice Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from 1978 to 1980. His leadership expertise extended to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, where he chaired the Board of Management of the teaching hospital from 1991 to 1994.

Professor Shehu’s legacy was not limited to the academia; he held esteemed positions as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Bayero University, Kano, and the University of Lagos from 1993 to 1999. Furthermore, he provided invaluable guidance when he chaired the Boards of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and STOPAIDS.

Beyond his distinguished roles, Professor Shehu was recognized with the prestigious national award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR). He was not only a scholar of international repute, with numerous publications to his name, but also a Consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO). His dedication to the field of Community Medicine culminated in his appointment as a Professor Emeritus at the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

In his lifetime, Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu remained an active member of various international and local professional bodies, contributing significantly to the advancement of medical knowledge worldwide.

The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) has organized a training of trainers on Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) 3 curriculum in Nigeria for laboratory personnel from the Ministry of Health.

The training, which took place in Nasarawa State Nigeria, was aimed at improving the implementation and use of the SLMTA curriculum for continuous quality improvement of laboratory systems in the country.

IHVN Head, Quality Improvement/Assurance Unit, Mrs. Oyebimpe Balogun, said “Laboratories are expected to implement a quality management system to ensure that results generated are accurate, reliable and timely for either diagnosis, treatment management and surveillance for public health purposes.  The participants’ capacities are being built to support this across the states.”

She added that “as the participants complete the training, they are added to the pool of National Resource for Laboratory Quality Management System implementation in Nigeria, where their responsibility will include; conducting training audits and mentorship at national, sub-national levels, and in health facilities across the country.”

Deputy Director of Public Health Initiative, Dr. Eke Ofuche, who facilitated sessions during the training, said that the training has virtual and physical components as well as practical sessions to certify the competence of the participants.

“Participants who are certified ought to also train people in their various communities,” he said.

 A participant at the training from Imo State Public Health Laboratory, Chukwuemeka Victor, described the training as useful in developing laboratory processes, quality indicators, and prioritization of tasks in the laboratory. “It really opened my eyes to the application of Quality Management Systems. I have had a lot of residual knowledge on Quality Management Systems, but this gave me guidance regarding its implementation.”

The training was funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with Technical Assistance by SLMTA Nigeria Team.”

According to UNICEF’s January 2022 data report, Nigeria ranks second among countries with high stillbirth rates globally at 42.9%, as of 2021. To address one of the root causes of this challenge, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has begun implementing the Improving Nigeria’s Capacity to Use Data on Registered Stillbirths for Decision-making & Planning (SPEED Project).

The project, which will run from September 2023 to December 2024, is aimed at making data on stillbirths more visible and accessible for evidence-based decision-making.

At a meeting with stakeholders to kick off the project, the SPEED Project Principal Investigator at the IHVN International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), Mrs. Oghome Emembo, said that the project will collaborate with stakeholders to, “publish a stillbirths Data Analytics and Visualization Tool (DAVT) on the FMOH website, showing stillbirth trends in Nigeria, and other indicators useful for policymaking.”

She added that the project will advocate for policy, system, and process changes to reduce stillbirths in the country. “We will also develop a comprehensive data report, using findings from analysis of FMOH DHIS 2 (District Health Information Software) stillbirth data, and conduct a health economic assessment to examine the feasibility of proposed policy options based on findings,” she said.  

IHVN Assistant Director, Dr. Evaesi Okpokoro said that IRCE can support data analysis for the project’s success. “We have a strong data unit that will support data analysis from this project to encourage evidence-based decision-making.”

Stakeholders from the government, health facilities, women and faith-based organizations, and the media at the meeting, committed to support project objectives.

Head of Department Newborn Branch, Family Health Child Division at the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Abdullahi Jatau, who represented the Director of Family Health, said that the project will greatly impact policy change.

The project is being implemented with funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health & Vital Strategies Program

The Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), Dr Patrick Dakum, has stated that the Institute will support Plateau State to strengthen structures for quality health services and research.

Dr Dakum stated this while welcoming the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang to the IHVN Campus on a courtesy visit. He expressed his desire to offer technical support and guidance as the state implements programs to improve the capacity of its healthcare workers and provide excellent diagnostic and treatment services to its residents.

During the visit, the governor lauded the accomplishments of Dr. Dakum and the Institute in contributing to the well-being of Nigerians.

“I’ve always believed that Dr. Dakum has institutional knowledge and capacity which can add value to governance on the Plateau. The health sector is a very critical sector and without any doubt, it is a sector in need of critical intervention,” Barr Muftwang said.

The governor also toured the IHVN H3 Africa Biorepository, which processes, stores, maintains, and distributes high-quality biological specimens for researchers in Africa since 2010.