FG tasked on regional centre for oral health research

The Intercountry Centre for Oral Health for Africa has called on the federal government and other stakeholders to support its efforts towards becoming a renown regional centre for oral health research and training. Director of the centre, Dr. Sani Balarabe made the call in Abuja during the risk management workshop organized for staff of the […]

The Intercountry Centre for Oral Health for Africa has called on the federal government and other stakeholders to support its efforts towards becoming a renown regional centre for oral health research and training.

Director of the centre, Dr. Sani Balarabe made the call in Abuja during the risk management workshop organized for staff of the organisation.

While commending the federal government for its support so far, he said the centre still required more support in the area of funding and legal backing to expand its activities, and re position it to a regional centre.

Dr Balarabe said being a regional centre holds a lot of benefits for the country, saying it would help address the poor knowledge on oral health among the populace, and tackle Noma and other diseases.

He added that it would also expand its research activities and get latest information that would enable government plan properly in the area of oral health.
“We need increased budget for the centre to improve and expand our scope of research to the West African sub region. The centre is now known as the Regional Centre for Oral Health Research and Training.Initiatives (RCORTI),” he said.

He said the centre was established in 1988 to serve about 46 World Health Organisation (WHO) member countries, adding that the law to make it a regional centre has passed first and second reading , public hearing, and now awaits third reading.

Dr Balarabe said that the risk management workshop was organized following a needs assessment in the organisation, and that it would help ensure, effective management in the workplace, deepen understanding about fraud and cybercrimes as well as effective management of resources to minimize corruption.
A participant, Barrister Suraiya Umar said the workshop exposed her to comprehensive knowledge about cybercrimes and risk management in the workplace.