DORA PROJECT HELD HER MAIDEN SYMPOSIUM OF CITIZEN SCIENCE FOR VAGINAL HEALTH IN NIGERIA

On this day, Wednesday, 19th July, 2023; the DORA Project held her maiden symposium and inauguration of the Citizen Science for Vaginal Health in Nigeria. The event which was held at the Faculty of Health Sciences & Technology Auditorium, Okofia, Nnewi Campus attracted a pool of College Staff and Students.

The DORA Project event was a noval one, conventional; and the first of its kind in Nigeria. The project was inspired by the ISALA group of the University of Antwerp, Belgium, the parent body; and started in the University with Dr. Kingsley Anukam (based in Canada/International Coordinator of DORA Project), initiating the signing of the MoU with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

In her welcome address, Prof Nneka Agbakoba, the Country Coordinator of DORA Project noted that the Project was called DORA, after Late Professor Dora Akunyili as a mark of honour for the selfless role she played while as a former DG, NAFDAC in combating fake drugs that have devastating effects on the vaginal health of women.

She further noted that the core objectives of DORA Project includes but not limited to the following:
~ Creating awareness on the benefits of bacteria in sexual and reproductive health;
~ Stop stigmas and cultural taboos associated with the vagina in Nigeria;
~ Identifying the microbes that keep the vagina healthy;
~ Mapping out of the vaginal microbiome using next generation sequencing methods and creating a repository biobank for healthy vaginal microbes to be used for therapeutics; and
~ Building capacity for women/girls in citizen science in order to take their vaginal health in their hands.

In her commendation, Prof Agbakoba thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone, FAS, FPSN, profusely for his support and approval of the Project, while requesting for more research supports to help drive home the core objectives of the Project .

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof JIB Adimma (the first Jubilee Academic Lecturer in the World and the former Commissioner of Health, Anambra State) was thrilled with the symposium. He noted that the event was the first of its kind to speak on vagina science. According to him, the vagina was the most cherished commodity of a woman; her strength and power which must be respected, kept healthy and used for the safety of humanity. It should not be abused by way of fornication and adultery.

The Chairman then beckoned on the audience to thrive to maintain an academic standard in the College and never show apathy in any academic lecture in the University.

The keynote speaker, Dr. George Eleje (HOD, O&G; Consultant Gynaecologists; and Deputy Director, Research/Innovation, NAU), in his paper titled: VAGINAL HEALTH: FACTS AND MYTHS, took the audience down a memory lane on the meaning of vagina health, its anatomy/physiology; factors affecting vagina health; common vaginal problems and myths. His lecture was illuminating, revealing, succinctly and educative. The audience was better informed on the various erroneous myths about vagina health; problems associated with it; and above all, noted how best to take good care of it. The female folks were later charged to avoid any form of self-medication and endeavor to consult a doctor on any issue on vagina health.

Dr. Ogoo Odimgbe, (Department of Family Medicine, Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri) in her paper titled: HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV): AN OVERVIEW; reawakened the consciousness of the audience on the dangers of HPV. She noted that every minute in the world, a woman is diagnosed with a cervical cancer; in every two minutes, a woman dies of cervical cancer globally; persistent HPV infection is the necessary cause of cervical cancer; HPV can be a threat to all women; HPV vaccination and regular screening is the key to prevention; the global input of HPV is substantial, both in terms of morbidity and mortality and its high mortality rate is a tragedy because it is essentially 99% preventable with effective screening, early detection and prompt treatment. Above all, Dr Ogoo Odimgbe charged the audience to be veggies for a healthy living and to forestall diseasees.

Prof Nneka Agbakoba, the Country Coordinator, DORA Project presented a paper titled PROBIOTICS AND VAGINAL HEALTH. According to Prof Agbakoba, probiotics by WHO definition are “live microorganism which when administered in adequate amounts, confers health benefit on the host”. She noted that probiotics are friendly, good and healthy bacteria which plays an important role in improving immunological, digestive and respiratory functions and alleviating infections diseases in human beings. Generally, probiotics are safe, with virtually no side effects in restoring the body’s microbiome back to normal.

The Professor of Medical Microbiology averred that probiotics may come in form of fermented foods like pickled vegetables, beverages, dairy products and soy products which can improve vaginal microbiota, increase beneficial bacteria, reduce the number of harmful bacteria, and further maintain the stability of vaginal microbiota. She stated that probiotics is beginning to find solid footing in treating some diseases in Nigeria.

Notably, the Coordinator of DORA Project further informed the audience that the development of of 16SrRNA sequencing technology can help to identify microbial markers and carryout personalized prevention and treatment of diseases.

The Chief Host of the Event, Prof Sir Gerald Udigwe, the College Provost, commended the DORA Team for the innovative and creativity of the Project. He averred that vagina is the window to reproductive health track, and if wrongly used, it would make reproduction very, very difficult. He quipped against any negative use of vagina.

The Chief Medical Director of NAUTH, Dr. Joseph Ugboaja, OON, ably represented at the Occasion by the D’CMAC, Prof Chigozie Ifeadike, warmly extended the CMD’s appreciations to the DORA Project Team. She noted that the symposium was ripe at the moment which embodies an avenue for counseling the upcoming ones so as not to make mistakes. She further counselled the female students not to make any negative use of their vagina in order not to mar their future. She further pledged to take the messages of the symposium back to the CMD for further engagements.

The Commissioner of Health, Anambra State, Dr. Afam Obidike, ably represented by Dr. Cyril Aneme (alumnus of the College), Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health, commended the College for expanding tremendously over the years. He commended the DORA Project for the Initiative. He then advised the ladies not to make a bad use of their vagina, or advocate any alternative use of it. Dr Cyril informed the audience that sub-population of same-sex affairs has sharply increased in all the local government areas of the state – a big concern to all stakeholders. He stated that it calls for a joint effort like this symposium in tandem with the National Assembly to defeat the dreaded monster. He further charged the audience to keep spreading the messages of the symposium for wider enlightenments.

However, despite the shortfall in the vaccination drugs in the State, Dr. Cyril noted that the Ministry of Health is not relenting in pressing for more vaccinations for the sound health of all Anambrarians.

Bright Anyanwu,
College Secretary.