Dangerous gaps in Diagnostics and Treatment

Country Ambassadors: Rita Oladale and Samuel Adetona Fayemiwo

Rita Oladale, Lecturer/Consultant,College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos. Lagos University Teaching Hospital, IDI Araba, Lagos. Email: On request
How you have helped GAFFI so far? We have estimated the burden of serious fungal infections in Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa. Burden of Serious Fungal Infection in Nigeria
Personal comment on the major needs in Nigeria which GAFFI should be addressing:There is paucity of data on invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in Nigeria which impacts on the management of the group of patients at risk. Therefore there is dire need for epidemiological studies on these life threatening infections in Nigeria. There are also only a few licensed drugs for IFIs in Nigeria (there is no amphotericin B) and when available are very expensive especially in a country where patients pay directly (cash) for their management.Links to key fungal/global health institutions in Nigeria College of Medicine, University of Lagos. http://www.cmul.edu.ng

Samuel Adetona Fayemiwo, Senior Lecturer & Consultant Medical Microbiologist (Coordinator, Clinical Mycology Unit), College of Medicine, University of Ibadan & University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria Email: On request
How you have helped GAFFI so far? In order to bridge the gap caused by increased burden of fungal diseases in Nigeria, I have been able to create awareness about the diseases among clinicians and other biomedical scientists in my institutions. I launched University College Hospital, Mycology Research Group (UCH-MRG) in April 2016. I have been able to introduce activities of GAFFI to the Honorable Minister of Health, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole and other stakeholders in health sectors in Nigeria Burden of Serious Fungal Infection in Nigeria
Personal comment on the major needs in Nigeria which GAFFI should be addressing:There is increased burden of fungal diseases in Nigeria and most of them are underreported. I would need GAFFI to assist Nigeria in making a bold attempt to define a clear pathway for improvement in care for the patients with serious fungal diseases. Many lives are being lost due to limited diagnostic capabilities for fungal diseases and an unnecessary antifungal therapy in hospitals for the wrong patients.We have proposed the establishment of four mycology reference laboratories in different cities to the Federal Ministry of Health. This would provide a comprehensive portfolio of diagnostic tests, national surveillance function including antifungal resistance as well as assistance in developing policy and implementation plans for reducing morbidity and mortality from fungal diseases in Nigeria.Links to key fungal/global health institutions in Nigeria www.comui.edu.ng, www.uch-ibadan.org.ng