UNIOSUN Receives WHO Approval To Combat Diphtheria, COVID-19

The Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has received approval from the World Health Organization (WHO) to carry out tests to combat diphtheria, river blindness, and COVID-19.

The WHO in partnership with the National Centre for Disease Control(NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health approved the university to embark on testing and analysis of samples of infectious diseases.

The university is also being engaged by the Nigerian Army to partake in the historical documentation of the peacekeeping interventions in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Clement Adebooye, disclosed this at the Council Chamber of the institution in Osogbo main campus on Thursday, during a press conference.

Adebooye noted that the university had established Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory (MRL) with specialized equipment for scientific research, testing, cutting-edge investigation, product development, training, and collaborations.

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He said, “a joint team from the World Health Organization, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the Osun State Ministry of Health visited our Multi-disciplinary Research Laboratory (UNIOSUN MRL) last month to upscale our capacity on diphtheria testing and analysis.

“Diphtheria is a highly infectious and deadly disease of the upper respiratory tract, characterized by sore throat, fever, and difficulty while breathing.

“Since then, the Multi-disciplinary Research Laboratory has been involved in the testing and analysis of samples for diphtheria diagnosis.

“Our MRL is currently engaged internationally, in addition to the diphtheria testing and analysis. We are engaged in the testing of COVID-19, Corynebacterium diphtheria, and other infectious diseases.

“We have been engaged in the elimination assessment of neglected tropical diseases and river blindness in Nigeria. Samples are regularly being sent to our lab for analysis,” Adebooye added.