The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Sen. Adeleke Mamora, has said that the Federal Government will collaborate with relevant stakeholders in stem cell transplantation technology in Nigeria, to save the lives of citizens.
The minister said this when the National Committee on the Research and Application of Stem Cell Transplantation Technology (NACRASTIN) in Nigeria paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
Mamora said stem cells are cells which can differentiate into different types in the body and also serve as system-repairer in the body.
He further stated that one cannot overemphasise the benefits of stem cell therapy all over the world, except in Nigeria, stressing that so many people could have gone to the great beyond if not for the therapy.
The minister assured the committee of the government’s readiness to assist in setting up therapy centres in the country, as the ministry will source funds from stakeholders and partners.
This, he said, must not be a pipe-dream but a reality that will come to pass.
In his speech, the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Ikechukwu Ikoh, thanked the team for the quality job it has done for the country and assured that the ministry will avail it all the necessary support to actualise what they have started.
He further said that this project carried out by the committee is one of the low-hanging fruits the ministry is looking for to benefit all and sundry.
Earlier, the chairman, NACRASTIN, Dr. Perry Iloegbunam, told the minister that the commencement of stem cell therapy in Nigeria could not only obviate expensive overseas medical treatment trips but avail all Nigerians and Africans – irrespective of status and locations – access the ground-breaking 21st-century medical technology at affordable cost.
According to the chairman, stem cell therapy is very important in the country and there is a need to leverage it to bring the therapy very close to citizens.
In a statement by the ministry’s deputy director, press and public relations, Atuora Obed said Iloegbunam stated that the ministry is working with the stem cell committee to see that they have the therapy on the desk for Nigerians to benefit.
The director-general of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha told the minister that he pledged composite and comprehensive support to the programme as it is geared toward the development of the country and the safety of lives of the citizenry.
