Research and Innovation leaders at Northern Care Alliance are building on the success of a prestigious international partnership with colleagues in Nigeria.
Salford’s renal experts reached the top level of the Sister Renal Centre scheme of the International Society of Nephrology earlier this year thanks to their work with the team at the University Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. This included helping to establish a sustainable peritoneal dialysis programme in Nigeria and creating a kidney biopsy service, early detection and management of community acquired acute kidney injury (AKI) using point of care testing of creatinine in rural communities, as well as providing online training and education.
Now colleagues from the two organisations – led by Professor Steve Woby and Professor Phil Kalra from NCA Research and Innovation and the Research and Development team from the University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt Nigeria led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (R&D) Professor Iyeopu Siminialayi – are working on further collaborations, initially focusing on genetic and lifestyle factors in diabetes mellitus and areas in neurology.
Salford Royal renal physician Ibi Erekosima (pictured) who is facilitating the link between the two organisations is also a visiting Professor of Medicine and Medical Education to the University of Port Harcourt Medical School. He said: “Our collaboration is aimed at benefiting the wider community around Port Harcourt and extending further afield in Nigeria. We will share best practices and broaden research links closely related to patient care and biomedical research. The research and innovation expertise at NCA will also allow us to support Port Harcourt colleagues with research planning, design, and analysis.”