Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa and has one of the highest under-five mortality rates in the world. Recent studies have established that invasive bacteria are the leading cause of childhood mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa and that most of these infections are preventable from routine vaccination or proper primary care. Unfortunately, a poor understanding of the magnitude of these bacterial infections and their associated illnesses has not lead to significant advancements in their prevention or treatment.
The International Foundation Against Infectious Disease in Nigeria (IFAIN) was established to facilitate the generation of a credible surveillance system for the determination of the etiologic agents of bacterium syndromes and opportunistic infections in the general population of Nigerian children. Data from these systems are being and will be, used to develop new tests and vaccines as well as to monitor the impact of medical interventions. Of particular interest is the etiology of disease in vulnerable populations, such as children who suffer from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sickle-cell disease (SCD), and malnutrition.
Our Mission
IFAIN is committed to improving the quality of life of children in Nigeria, and the rest of the world, by reducing the burden of infectious and related diseases.
Goals
- Reduce childhood mortality and morbidity as related to infectious disease
- Improve disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
- Work with and grow capacity within the local health care system.
Objectives
- Provide credible local disease burden and incidence rates of childhood infectious diseases
- Conduct new and innovative research to capture the true etiology of disease
- Support local health care infrastructure by providing improved diagnostic capabilities through the provision of diagnostic equipment
- Train health care professionals and students
- Work and collaborate in full cooperation with like-minded individuals and organizations, both locally and internationally, who share common goals
| Bernard Ebruke Country Director – Research  | Nekpen Ogbomo Chief Operating Officer  | Theresa Ajose Project Administrator  | Grace Olanipekun Lab Manager  |
| Carissa Duru Research Associate  | Ronke Arogbonlo Project Coordinator  | Abubakar Gezawa Clinical Coordinator  | Tope Egbetade Med Lab Scientist  |
| Joy Alaba Med Lab Scientist  | Esther Ebekwe Med Lab Scientist  | James Abu Ochiekwu Med Lab Scientist  | Blessing Juku Med Lab Scientist  |
| Faith Adegboye Med Lab Scientist  | Esther Stephens Med Lab Scientist  | Khadija Farouk Research Scientist  | Vivian Odili Research Scientist  |
| Florence Dinshak Research Lab Assistant  | Michael Jegede Data Officer  | Monday Iboyi Logistics  | Babalola Adegoke Logistics  |
Dr. Ajoritsedere Awosika, Chairman
Prof. Stephen Obaro, Trustee/Founder
Hon. Justice Yargata Nimpar (JCA), Trustee
Dr. Akin Fajola, Trustee
Mr. Peter Ameadaji, Trustee
Mr. Ademola Adebise, Trustee
Of the estimated 6.9 million deaths of children under 5 in 2011 nearly half occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa. An estimated 2.1 million of the 6.9 million deaths (30 percent) occurred in West and Central Africa. UNICEF estimated 756,000 children under five died in Nigeria in 2011; this represents 36 percent of the burden in West and Central Africa and 11 percent of the global burden. One of every ten under five fatalities occurs in Nigeria. (State of the Worlds Children)
The precise cause of these fatalities is poorly understood. Classification is based largely upon the symptomatic presentation of a variety of diseases that can often be indistinguishable such as malaria, pneumonia and sepsis. Because children often meet criteria for several clinical maladies treatment is empirical and non-specific.
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