By: Okoye Priscillia Anurika.
Edited by: Okoruwa Patrick
UNTH NEWS ONLINE

The Chief Medical Director, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Prof. Obinna Onodugo, played host to a team of WHO (NIG & AFRO)/FG/ICH Rotavirus and New Vaccines Surveillance / Research Advocacy on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, in his office.

The leader of the team and the National Principal Investigator and Site Coordinator, Prof. Beckie Tagbo, while addressing the CMD, said, ” I wish to express my profound gratitude to the UNTH Management for their unwavering support to the Institute of Child Health (ICH), UNTH Surveillance, and Research efforts.
Your assistance has been instrumental to our achievements and excellent performance. I acknowledge the CMD’s commitment to prioritizing resources, such as ensuring solar power solutions for the Virology Laboratory, which has been critical in maintaining operational efficiency.
The surveillance team, comprising Clinicians, Laboratory Scientists, Public Health Nurses, Data Managers, Logisticians, and Field Assistants from across Southeast Nigeria, has made remarkable strides since its establishment in 2010.”
Continuing, She said,
“The team remains a leader in addressing vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) such as rotavirus, a major cause of severe diarrhea in children under five.”.
One of the team’s notable accomplishments, according to her, includes contributing to data that was crucial for Nigeria’s successful Gavi application, leading to the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in August 2024

In his response, a visibly impressed Prof. Onodugo commended the Surveillance Team for their impressive achievements and immense contributions to UNTH global visibility. He said, “I assure you of the Hospital’s Management commitment to resolving the remaining issues. He acknowledged the team’s dedication and identity with their accomplishments.

Present at the event include the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (C-MAC), Prof. Joy Eze, Prof. Henrietta Okafor, Director, ICH, Dr. Samuel Ebede, Head, Microbiology Department, Prof. Uchenna Ozumba, Dr. Chinedu Chukwubike, Mrs. Vina Okafor, Dr. Stella Okolie, and Mrs. Chioma Benjamin-Puja.