US aids Nigeria’s diseases response and surveillance efforts

Through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (U.S. CDC) expansion and equipment of the biorepository with financing from the COVID-19 CARES Act, the United States has reaffirmed its support for Nigeria’s public health.

When he joined Nigerian public health officials during the launching of an enhanced biorepository laboratory at the Nigeria Center for Disease Control’s Central Public Health Laboratory in Yaba, Lagos, U.S. Consul General Will Stevens revealed this.

Consul General Stevens stated in his remarks that the new facility will aid Nigeria’s efforts to combat disease by categorizing and preserving blood samples for use in the future, such as tests to enhance the detection and surveillance of novel, developing, and reemerging diseases.

“The biorepository laboratory project was implemented in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria.

“In addition to the provision of equipment and medical supplies, the U.S. CDC supported the training of staff of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) to improve local capacity in managing the laboratory”, he said.

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He expressed optimism that the upgraded biorepository laboratory will support Nigeria’s readiness for future epidemic and pandemic responses. “Today’s commissioning is a major accomplishment of the strategic partnership between the United States and Nigeria to support health security and respond to disease threats,” Consul General Stevens said.

Consul General Stevens emphasized the long-standing collaboration between the United States and Nigeria with Nigerian medical organizations to implement important public health initiatives, assess disease surveillance and response efforts, and strengthen the already-existing public health infrastructure.

“Since 2004, the United States and Nigeria have partnered to improve laboratory networks, systems, and services. These collaborations have consistently yielded results as the nation’s laboratory capacity continues to grow in quantity and quality,” he added.