The University of Lagos (UNILAG), College of Medicine, has inaugurated the Centre for Clinical Trials, Research and Implementation Science (CCTRIS), to enhance capacity in medical research.
Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, at the event, said Nigeria and Africa at large has not made great advances in clinical trials.
Ogunsola, who was represented by Prof. Lucian Chukwu, said the centre is coming at the right time to enhance research works in clinical trials and implementation science.
She said: “The area of clinical trials in the African continent has not been given its pride of place despite the fact that we control a significant part of the global population.
“We are very much under-represented in clinical trials in the world and we only have about 2.5 percent of clinical trials going on in Africa.
“The official launch of the CCTRIS is coming at the right time and we are happy that the institution is blazing the trail in ensuring that we have this centre.
“The implementation science of CCTRIS would assist in bridging the gap between theories and practicals.”
The Vice-Chancellor charged the CCTRIS Director to ensure that the centre become a renowned facility in clinical research.
Provost of the College of Medicine, UNILAG, Prof. David Oke, said medical research plays a pivotal role in positioning the institution to attain its position at the centre of global institutions.
Oke, who was represented by Deputy Provost, Prof. Osaretin Ebuehi, said the centre would focus on developing and facilitating innovative research and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions.
He said: “Our objective as the foremost university in the country is to be a world class research intensive medical college to deliver teaching and facilitate learning of the highest quality and to play a leading role in health.
“It is justifiable to have a world class centre like CCTRIS in this institution and it will be a leading in the area of clinical trials.”
Director of the Centre, Prof. Bosede Afolabi, said CCTRIS aimed to become a leading institution in the field of clinical trials and implementation.
Afolabi noted that the goal of the centre was also to develop capacity with postgraduate courses and conduct multi-disciplinary research.
She added that the centre would also provide administrative and project management service to the clinical research community in the country.
