The federal government has committed to funding a newly developed smart bra system that can detect breast cancer in its early stages in women.
This was mentioned by Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, Minister of State for Science and Technology, when he received the Next Wear Technology Hub team in his office on Tuesday in Abuja.
”This smart bra project was developed by the Next Wear Technology, its revolutionary and going to be very supportive of the Federal Government efforts in addressing health challenges.
“What I can assure is that the Federal Government will do the best it can to support this technology,’’ Abdullahi said.
He mentioned that a committee was on the ground evaluating the project in order to determine if they could assist the innovators in receiving a presidential grant.
“Usually, what this administration does every year is to look for young people that can come up with this type of innovation and see how to support them and further the project,’’ he said.
The related departments and agencies of the ministry were also present, according to the minister, to assess the wearable smart bra system and assist the innovators in monetizing their intellectual property.
“The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion is here, they will evaluate your invention and see how they can help you get the patent for this creativity.
“ The National Board for Technology Incubation will also examine your invention and see how they can help you get a platform and robust commercialisation’’ he said.
Abdullahi also instructed the visitors to complete the necessary paperwork in order to receive government support for the project.
‘ We have an obligation as a ministry to support women in science,’ he said.
Kemisola Bolarinwa, the team’s Project Manager and Embedded System Engineer, had previously requested that the ministry consider implementing the smart bra innovation in Nigeria.
According to Bolarinwa, the technology would assist in reducing the number of women who die from breast cancer.
She went on to say that the smart bra device would be extremely beneficial to Nigeria and Africa.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
