COVID-19: ATBUTH begins clinical trial of drugs – CMD

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By Aluta News

Jan. 14, 2022

The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, says it has begun biomedical clinical trial of drugs used in treatment of persons tested positive for Coronavirus.
Dr Jibrin Yusuf, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Bauchi.
NAN reports that clinical trials are a type of research that studies new tests and treatments, and evaluates their effects on human health outcomes.
It is use to test medical interventions including drugs, cells and other biological products, surgical and radiological procedures as well as devices, behavioural treatments and preventive care.
Yusuf said that the research code named, “Solidarity Plus” aimed at evaluating the three drugs used in treatment of patients hospitalised of COVID -19.
According to him, the Soliderty Plus is part of the seven studies currently ongoing at its newly established Molecular Genetics and Infectious Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.
Yusuf said the laboratory was constructed and equipped by the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi with support of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).
The laboratory, he said, was accredited by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) as the pioneer molecular lab in the North East region, adding that it focused on various ailments including COVID-19.
He said that part of the mandate of the hospital was to provide clinical services, training and research.
He listed the studies to include Cohort Event Monitoring, which seek to examine safety of various COVID vaccines and Corvan Style aimed at assessing the rapid diagnostic test kits for COVID -19 amongst others.
“The research on COVID vaccines is not because they are not genuine but we have our differences in terms of environment, temperature, genetics among others,” he said.
According to him, the hospital is also conducting clinical studies through data application to establish causes of certain ailments at the departmental levels.
Yusuf said that obstetrics, gynecology and surgery departments had commenced researches in speciality areas.
The medical director said that the studies were being conducted in collaboration between the hospital, Federal Ministry of Health, World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDC, ATBU and National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).
On academic research, Yusuf said that some post graduates and PhD students were conducting various studies in the institution.
Yusuf said that one of the research focused on traditional medicine to scientifically proven its positive cures.
“Traditional medicine has infectious therapy, its predicament is that the Chemical Casualties (CHEMCAS) are not tested.
“They should come out and clinically test their drugs,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Suleiman Alhaji, Coordinator of the Molecular Laboratory, said that the laboratory had received 8,000 suspected samples of coronavirus from November 2021 to date.
Alhaji said the laboratory had also worked on 200 samples of suspected Lassa fever, adding that 20 per cent of the cases had been confirmed.
He said that the lab was equipped with the modern gadgets and safe working consumables.
The Coordinator, however, identified lack of manpower as the major obstacle militating against its effective operation.
NAN
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