Yobe State Government has reiterated its commitment to supporting the Biomedical Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) in its ongoing efforts to find a lasting solution to the widespread cases of kidney disease ravaging the state.
Governor Mai Mala Buni gave this assurance in Damaturu while receiving an interim research report from the centre’s founder and director, Professor Mahmoud Maina Bukar.
Governor Buni described the research as a critical wake-up call for both the government and the people of Yobe State, stressing that his administration is fully determined to pursue the research to its logical conclusion, irrespective of the financial demands.
“We are committed to seeing the end of this menace, no matter the cost. The lives and health of our people remain our top priority,” the governor affirmed.
Presenting the report, Professor Mahmoud, who also serves as the governor’s Honorary Special Adviser on Research and Innovation, revealed that no fewer than 50 specialists from different parts of the world are collaborating on the study.
The research has so far examined 2,000 samples collected from Bade and Damaturu local government areas.
Preliminary findings, according to Professor Mahmoud, indicate a particularly high risk of kidney disease among fishermen in Bade Local Government Area, suggesting that environmental or occupational factors might be contributing to the alarming prevalence of the disease.
Professor Mahmoud further disclosed that the BioRTC is currently hosting local and international participants for the fifth Summer School programme, which focuses on Computational Neuroscience.
He emphasized that the ongoing research, described as the largest state-funded disease research project in Africa, reflects Governor Buni’s profound commitment to health and innovation.
He added that the second phase of the study would provide deeper insights into the underlying causes of the disease, potentially paving the way for targeted solutions.
Professor Mahmoud also expressed confidence that the collaboration between the Research Centre and renowned international institutes would yield the desired results in combating kidney disease in the state.
In support of these efforts, Professor Miguel Marravel, Deputy Head of School, Life Sciences at the University of Sussex, lauded Governor Buni’s foresight in prioritizing scientific research and training.
“Governor Buni’s investment in research is admirable. As international partners, we are fully committed to supporting Yobe State in addressing the kidney disease challenge,” Marravel pledged.
Governor Buni, in his concluding remarks, reiterated the government’s readiness to sustain its collaboration with global research partners while providing the resources necessary to safeguard the health and well-being of Yobe residents.