The UNDP Interest In Technology Development

The introduction of a technological device for blood transfusion by the managers of Emergency Blood Transfusion Research Project marks an important milestone in Medical Research in Nigeria and is of great interest to UNDP. First, building capacities for technology development is essential for the overall advancement of any country. This is moreso in Nigeria, and indeed a number of African countries where we need to focus our attention in those area where we can improve people’s well-being and thereby increase their productivity, be in it on farm or off-farm. The human-centered approach to development is only sustainable when we maximize our efforts and imputs to fight the ills of poverty and disease which are the causes of death and destitution in the developing world.

The Emergency Auto-blood transfusion device has been developed and adapted to suit the special and unique circumstances of Nigeria and developing countries. It is common knowledge that technological solutions exist for nearly all the problems which afflict the African continent and Nigeria today. The missing link in our technological development has been that of adapting the available knowledge to the special circumstances of the African environment.

This technological device is a unique response to those who question Africans' capacity to contribute to the advancement of mankind. We have here, a technology that is of interest and applicable world-wide. In a continent where we tend to import everything, from toilet paper to sophisticated computer devices, it is gratifying to note that Nigerian scientists and technologists, given the right tools and environment, are just as capable as any in the world. Sadly for some explicable reason, we have not provided the necessary support for technological development in Nigeria today. We need to reflect more on locally developed technological achievements and advances that can contribute to the development of this great nation. We need to keep reminding ourselves that Nigeria has a wealth of highly competent, capable and resourceful people and has an important role to play in the development of the African continent and charting the future of the black race.

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