The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has unveiled an integrated disease testing and surveillance laboratory for malaria, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and other infectious diseases.

The NCDC’s director-general, Dr Jide Idris, said during the unveiling at the NCDC Central Public Health Laboratory in Yaba, Lagos, that the laboratory was aimed at strengthening the fight against diseases of public health importance in the country.

Mr Idris said the integrated laboratory would be a game-changer in the fight against infectious diseases of public health importance to the country.

Mr Idris said the establishment of the laboratory was made possible through partnerships with the U.S. Consulate Mission in Nigeria, the CDC Foundation, the Public Health Initiative (APIN) and The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Nigeria.

Mr Idris said: “Nigeria has one of the highest diversity and burden of public health diseases with global significance in sub-Saharan Africa and response to diagnosis-related challenges for infectious diseases.

“We have identified the need to develop capacity for advanced diagnostic services and laboratory-based surveillance capacity for NTDs, malaria, mycotic diseases, and similar diseases of public health importance

“The establishment of this integrated laboratory diagnosis facility will be a game-changer in the fight against infectious diseases by providing accurate, early and comprehensive diagnosis and informative decision-making for enhanced patient care.

“It will ensure proactive disease surveillance and outbreak management and optimise antimicrobial stewardship.

“It will also ensure reduced antimicrobial resistance, inform research and development for new diagnostic tests and treatments, improved patient safety and reduce healthcare costs, and enhanced global health security through rapid detection and response”.

The D-G expressed gratitude to the U.S. CDC, CDC Foundation, APIN and TECRO for their commitment and support in complementing the effort of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to enhance the country’s health sector.

Also, the representative of the U.S. Consul General to Nigeria, Will Stevens, said Nigeria had one of the highest burdens of global malaria cases and deaths, noting that the establishment of the integrated laboratory was critical.

Mr Stevens said there was a need to provide Africa solutions to Africa’s problems, noting that the country’s response and resilience in curbing the spread of Ebola and COVID-19 outbreak was impressive

“Nigeria is a regional leader and as leader, we need more African solutions to these African problems and African solutions to global problems.

“This laboratory will bring world-class healthcare, world-class research, world-class monitoring and detection systems to the people of Nigeria and allow Nigerians to continue to be a global leader,” he said.

Also, the Chief of Mission to the Taiwanese Government in Nigeria, Andy Liu, said it was an honour for the Taiwan government to collaborate with the U.S. and the CDC Foundation to support and strengthen Nigeria’s health system through the establishment of the laboratory and donation of world-class equipment.

“This is significant, and it is important for the international body to help build a world-class laboratory with advanced equipment for Nigerians.

“We are looking forward to more collaboration to build more capacity in the health sector and strengthen our relationship with the country,” he said.

Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos state commissioner for health, in his remarks, described the establishment of the integrated laboratory as a move in the right direction.

Mr Abayomi emphasised the importance of collaboration in strengthening and building capacity to address health challenges affecting the country.

Also, the senior programme officer of the CDC Foundation, Cassandra Webster, said that the partnership with the NCDC, CDC Nigeria, and other collaborators would help strengthen the public health infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to Ms Webster, the gesture will boost Nigeria’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease threats in the country.

“I’m glad to be here for the launch of such an important partnership; the CDC Foundation is an independent, U.S.-based nonprofit body created by the U.S. Congress to help advance and extend the life-saving work of CDC and public health through public-private partnership.

“This continued progress against malaria and neglected tropical diseases is critical to saving lives and our efforts to strengthen this laboratory using advanced technology.

“I thank TECRO for their critical and generous support for this important effort, and I also want to thank the CDC Nigeria and NCDC teams for their partnership,” she said.

Advanced medical equipment were donated to the NCDC for the establishment of the integrated laboratory.

(NAN)