Following his antecedents in academic research, at national and international levels, Pharm. (Prof.) Noel Wannang, secretary general, West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP); has been appointed by the Plateau State Governor, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, as the Head of the State Academic Research Committee on Coronavirus .
Wannang, who comes first among the 13-member-committee, is to lead others in researching into alternative solutions to the pandemic, as well as establishing a modern infectious diseases hospital in Plateau State.
Members of the committee are:
Prof Noel N. Wannang; Prof Jacob A. Kolawole;.Dr Falang Kakjing; Prof James Damen; Dr Yusuf Agabi; Dr Richard J Kutshik; Dr Bukar Bukata; Dr Ajima Ukpe; Dr Ken Amagon; Dr Longdet I. Yohanna; Representative of the Plateau State Ministry of Health; Representative from the Infectious Unit of Medicine Department, JUTH; and Representative from Veterinary Research Institute, Vom.
Addressing members of the committee at the inauguration, Lalong, charged them to brainstorm and come up with practical alternatives to challenge the nation’s dependence on foreign solutions to the infection burden in the state and nation.
He stated: “It is important to emphasize that members of this team were assembled purely on merit and in recognition of their antecedents in the field of research.
“While carrying out this special assignment, I want you to have at the back of your mind that at the long run, all our efforts should lead us towards establishing a modern infectious diseases hospital in Plateau State”, he said.
Lalong further noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has not only reminded the state of the need to be proactive, but also to upgrade “ our medical facilities and improving manpower, while working ahead to develop preventive and curative capacity for infectious diseases”.
The Plateau Governor said the Research Committee on Coronavirus and other Infectious Diseases was constituted with key researchers from faculties of pharmaceutical sciences, medical sciences, and natural sciences within the tertiary institutions in the state.
He highlighted the terms of reference of the committee as follows:
“ To Search for conventional and/or alternative drugs for the treatment and cure of the Coronavirus.
“ Design treatment protocols for the treatment of the virus.
“Conduct clinical trials on the candidate drug (s).
“ Design control mechanism for the spread of the virus.
“Any other design that will curtail the pandemic and subsequent diseases.
“ The Committee may co-opt any relevant professional to facilitate its assignment”, he stated.
 Noel Wannang, secretary general, West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP); has been appointed by the Plateau State Governor, Rt. Hon. (){kind=link}