By Amechi Innocent
A group known as Equi-Resp Africa Research Project (Improving Equity in Respiratory Disease Outcomes in Africa using Data-Driven Tools) is treating 1,000 indigent patients on respiratory diseases free of charge in six target health facilities in Ebonyi State within the four-years duration of the project.
The programme which was hosted by David Umahi Federal University of Health Services (DUFUHS), Uburu in collaboration with Institute of Child Health Alex Ekwueme University Teaching Hospital (AEFUTHA) Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
The Project Lead/Principal Investigator of Equi-Resp Africa Project and Vice Chancellor of DUFUHS Prof. Jesse Uneke who disclosed this during the Flag-off of the programme held at AEFUTHA said that the project is multi-country and implemented in five Africa countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa.
According to Prof Uneke, “the goal is to achieve demonstrable and equitable reductions in morbidity and mortality from respiratory diseases through improvements in interventions and policies derived from data-driven tools.
“EQUI-RESP Project implementation in Ebonyi State. The project will be implemented in five health facilities in Ebonyi State including; ICH AEFUTHA, Primary Health Care Centre Nkwagu, Maternal and Child Health Center, Okposhi Umuoghara, Maternal and Child Health Centre Unagboke Azugwu, Mother and Child Centre (MCC). DUFUTH Uburu.
” The project will provide some critical equipment for the use in the detection/diagnosis of some respiratory diseases to be domesticated at ICH AEFUTHA and MCC DUFUTH and also provide free treatment to up to 1000 patients across the six target health facilities in Ebonyi State within the four-years duration of the project.
“There are large inequities in the outcomes of these diseases. They are worst among the poor, who do not have access to affordable and quality healthcare. Gaps in evidence, policies and capacity, and inequitable outcomes, underscore a need for improved response.
“We will also build on experiences and knowledge of the RESPIRE NIHR Global Health Unit at the University of Edinburgh. The project will involve three phases. map the landscape of the target respiratory diseases through conducting rapid reviews and data synthesis of the available literature and data; study patients’ and providers’ preferences and needs; conduct an exercise based on the CHNRI method to identify research priorities.
“Assess health system preparedness for target respiratory diseases; Coordinate studies on identifying bottlenecks for early response; assess OXygen economy ie., OXygen capacity and security; and conduct qualitative studies to understand barriers to care- seeking.
“Special Training for two members of the Team in University of Edinburgh, UK. The project will fully fund a short-term special training programme (summer school) on Global Health for two members of the Research Team in the Department of Global Health of University of Edinburgh, UK.
“This project aligns with the National Institute of Health Care and Research’s (NIHR) principles of impact, excellence, inclusion, collaboration and effectiveness, with direct and primary benefits for people living in Ebonyi State, which is a key component of the Official Development Assistance (ODA).
“The findings from the project will be vital to improving care-seeking and managing respiratory illnesses, and relevant for future research, interventions, curriculum improvement and training programmes” Prof Uneke stated.
The flag-off ceremony was done by the Chief Medical Director (AEFUTHA), Prof Robinson Onoh.
