Coronavirus
NCDC meets target, launches 13th testing lab
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced the launch of its 12th and 13th testing laboratory, 17 days after it announced expansion of testing labs.
On March 29, the NCDC had said that it was working hard to expand our testing capacity for COVID-19.
At the time, the disease control centre said there were currently six labs in Nigeria with capacity to test for COVID-19. “We aim to scale up to 13 labs in next three weeks,” NCDC said.
At the time the testing labs in progress were Abakaliki, Maiduguri, Kano, Sokoto, Port-Harcourt, Jos and Kaduna.
As of today, the centre announced that, “Seventeen days ago, we set a target to scale up COVID-19 testing capacity from six to 13 labs in 3 weeks.
“Today, we announced the inclusion of the 12th & 13th labs, with plans for further expansion.”
“Our lab strategy set to be published has more details on how we‘re scaling up testing,” NCDC said.
“As we increase the number of labs, we are working very hard with states to improve the sample collection and transportation process.
“Our goal is to ensure that everyone who meets the national case definition is tested, positive cases are isolated and managed to recovery,” the centre said.
The newly launched centers are the DNA Lab, a private sector lab in Kaduna and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri.
“This brings the number of COVID-19 testing labs in Nigeria to 13, in progress are Sokoto and Port Harcourt.”
