{
  "id": 17309312,
  "title": "Medical Academy urges FG to fund genomic research",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/medical-academy-urges-fg-to-fund-genomic-research",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T00:12:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/medical-academy-urges-fg-to-fund-genomic-research/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Academy of Medical Sciences of Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to boost funding for biomedical research to develop affordable treatments for diseases and prepare for future pandemics. At the Academy's 2026 Annual Scientific Conference, held in Lagos, speakers emphasized the importance of sustained investment in genomic research, citing potential economic and medical benefits. Azeez Butali, a US-based expert, highlighted that every dollar invested in the Human Genome Project generated $141 in returns. Butali stressed the need for Nigeria to invest in biomedical research to address the high burden of diseases like sickle cell, which many patients cannot afford treatment for. The Academy's president, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, called for the establishment of a national center for genomic diseases, noting that Nigeria possesses the expertise to advance genomic medicine through collaborations with foreign institutions.",
  "summary": "The Academy of Medical Sciences of Nigeria has urged the FG to fund genomic research to develop affordable treatments, prepare for pandemics, and boost hea Read More: https://punchng.com/medical-academy-urges-fg-to-fund-genomic-research/",
  "key_points": [
    "Federal Government urged to increase funding for biomedical research",
    "Genomic research vital for affordable disease treatments and pandemic preparedness",
    "Nigeria possesses expertise to advance genomic medicine with foreign collaborations"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Prioritizing genomic research funding offers Nigeria a pathway to reduce the economic burden of prevalent diseases and build the necessary infrastructure to manage future public health emergencies.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}