The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has setup a COVID-19
testing laboratory at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH)
in Borno state.
The UMTH laboratory, was to enhance ‘effective surveillance, detection
and response’ to the coronavirus pandemic in the Northeast.
While confirming the COVID-19 testing laboratory Thursday in
Maiduguri, UMTH’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo,
said: “Henceforth, the samples of suspected cases of COVID-19 in
Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and other neighbouring states, can be tested and
conducted at this laboratory.”
He said the NCDC had installed the Surveillance, Outbreak Response
Management and Analysis System (SORMAS) to improve disease
surveillance, detection and management of any outbreaks.
While speaking on laboratory’s takeoff, he said: “Ten laboratory
scientists and two quality control officers had undergone capacity
training on how to use the testing machines and kits by NCDC
management.”
According to him, UMTH had adopted proactive measures aimed at
mitigating the spread of COVID-19, and protecting health and safety of
patients, staff and visitors.
His words: “We have already established our own COVID-19 centre in the
hospital in collaboration with the Borno State Government. I want to
commend the government for supporting the hospital.
“We have also produced our own hand sanitisers for our staff, hospital
community as well as the general public with a view to promote safe
hygiene practices.
“We want to give special commendation to Sir Emeka Offor Foundation
for donating about 140 feet container loads of medical equipment under
its 2020 humanitarian aid.”
The support, according to him, was timely as it came at a critical time of need.
He therefore; called on well-meaning individuals, philanthropists and
business communities to emulate the Foundation, adding that it could
improve the quality of health in communities.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria, Borno is one of the 17
states yet to record any case.
NCDC has also supported 11 states in the setup of Public Health
Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOP) for effective and efficient
coordination of COVID-19 outbreak andresponse.
The NCDC supported states include Osun, Lagos, Oyo, Sokoto, Kaduna,
Kano, Ebonyi, Borno, Plateau and Rivers as well as FCT, Abuja.
