The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has announced inclusion of the 24th laboratory to the National #COVID19 Laboratory Network.

The NCDC made the announcement of the new lab; Everight Diagnostic & Laboratory Services, Imo State in a Twitter message on Tuesday.

It noted that 4 labs are however in progress.

The Centre also released Mechanisms of engagement of private sector as partof national COVID-19 testing laboratory network.

It noted that the mechanism for engagement will be between the state and private sector laboratory, with technical guidance and support from NCDC.

“A memorandum of understanding (MOU) may be signed between the state and the private sector that provides details of cost implications and operational support. As part of its national mandate, NCDC is responsible for providing technical support to the private laboratory”.

“For private laboratories to be accepted into the NCDC COVID-19 laboratory network,
the following criteria should be met:

a. Assessment of facilities to be conducted by NCDC staff and other relevant
stakeholders

b. Completion of the COVID-19 Laboratory Assessment Checklist (see Annex 1)

c. Participation in a COVID-19 quality assurance panel

d. Provide all required staff with PPEs and laboratory consumables required for testing

e. Provide all infrastructure needs to ensure 24-hour operations, 7 days a week

f. Counsel patients about signs and symptoms of complicated COVID-19 disease and advise them to seek care through national referral systems if these symptoms develop.

NCDC however noted that it has tested 28,418 samples across the country.