BY NEBURG OKERE
The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control, NCDC, has approved a private laboratory, Everight Diagnostic & Laboratory Services in Owerri, Imo State, as its 24th laboratory to the National Covid 19 laboratory network.
The NCDC announced the inclusion of the lab in a tweet on Tuesday.
The tweet reads “ We’re pleased to announce the inclusion of the 24th lab to the National #COVID19 Laboratory Network: Everight Diagnostic & Laboratory Services, Imo State Read our latest guide on the integration of private sector laboratories for #COVID19 testing”
According to documents seen on the website of the Agency, a lab can only qualify to be included into its national laboratory network if it meets criteria for private laboratories.
The guidelines reads “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 testings. Provide all infrastructure needs to ensure 24-hour operations, 7 days a week.
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.
