Lagos State Government has approved the inclusion of seven private laboratories, namely: Total Medical Services, SynLab, 54 Gene, Medbury Medical Services, Biologix Medical Services, 02 Medical Services and Clina Lancent Laboratories among its testing facilities as part of efforts to expand the testing capacity for COVID-19 of the State.
The laboratories were selected and approved by the State Ministry of Health to carry out COVID-19 test after a rigourous accreditation and validation process by the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) and the Lagos State Bio-Bank.
Speaking at a ceremony to formally introduce the laboratories to the public, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi disclosed that a key element in the next phase of the State’s response strategy is to expand diagnostic testing to strategically ensure a larger number of people have access to the COVID-19 test.
Abayomi added that State Government has developed an inclusive strategy that aims to harness the public and private sectors to rapidly expand the State’s capacity to meet the growing demand for testing in the next stage of the State’s biosecurity road map.
He averred that the State Ministry of Health has also identified potential opportunities to achieve its goal of expanded testing via a carefully articulated framework, stressing that recognition of the potential opportunities led to the partnership with the private sector laboratories to rapidly increase diagnostic testing for COVID-19 response.
While noting that the accredited private laboratories will carry out only PCR test, Abayomi stated that the use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) kits remains illegal in Lagos until the State government can validate RDT kits that actually work.
Highlighting the demand for COVID-19 testing in the community, the Commissioner opined that citizens will request for COVID-19 test to confirm status periodically, as part of requirements for returning to work, regulatory requirements for selected industries like the food and beverage industry, local and international travel requirements, requirements for resuming school and admission into hospital.
Abayomi noted that the Lagos State Biobank will serve as the central coordinating body for the accredited private laboratories and will facilitate an effective information exchange, access to training, maintain a secure chain of custody procedure and ensure technical standards in the operations of the laboratories.
Earlier in his presentation, the Director Lagos State Bio-Bank, Dr. Bamidele Mutiu explained that the accredited private laboratories were identified to have the equipment and expertise to test for COVID-19 within the parameters of the testing strategy.
He noted that State’s decision to commence community-based care makes it imperative to expand PCR testing capacity, stressing that there are currently a larger number of PCR machines in the private sector than there are in the public sector.
The high point of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between the Ministry of Health and representatives of the accredited private laboratories.
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