NCDC inaugurates two mobile labs established by 54gene in Ogun, Lagos

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Tuesday says it has inaugurated two new laboratories in Lagos and Ogun states.

The agency says the two new laboratories were established by 54gene, an African genomics company that collaborates with health and research institutions in African countries to conduct research to generate primary data and biospecimen.

The company worked in collaboration with the two state governments and the NCDC, the agency added.

NCDC had tweeted, “We are pleased to announce the inclusion of two new laboratories in Lagos & Ogun, established by @weare54gene in collaboration with the state governments & NCDC.

“This brings the number of laboratories in our molecular lab network to 17 & expands national testing capacity.”

According to statement of purpose on its website, 54gene says it aims to build genetic data sets that make landmark discoveries a reality.

The genomic company notes that Africans house the most genetically diverse DNA, in comparison to all other world populations combined.

“In gathering insights from the African genome, we could power medical breakthroughs and discoveries that will change the entire landscape of healthcare, globally,” it boasts.

Presently, 54gene says, most genomic data used for development research is from Europe, United Kingdom and North America, with African genomic data only accounting for less than three per cent.

“We exist to close this gap by increasing access to highly curated genomic data from African populations,” it added.

Last Thursday, NCDC Director-General, Dr. Chikwe Iheakweazu, said at a platform hosted by the World Health Organisation and the World Economic Forum that Nigeria had only done 10,000 tests so far, a number considered small when weighed against South Africa and Ghana which had conducted 130,000 and 70,000 tests respectively then.

On Saturday, the agency said it had activated two new COVID-19 testing laboratories located at the Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto; and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.

Recall that on April 15, the agency also activated two laboratories at the DNA Laboratory, a private-sector laboratory in Kaduna; and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri.

Other COVID-19 testing laboratories are located at the Influenza Laboratory, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano; and the National Veterinary Research Institute, Plateau State.

Others are in Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Edo, and Ebonyi states, as well as the the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

54gene had, via its Twitter handle @weare54gene, said, “We are pleased to announce that we have received approval to join the NCDC accredited testing network for COVID-19 in Lagos and Ogun states, with Kano state coming soon.

“This is in line with our belief that the expansion of testing services across the country is a critical step in abating the pandemic.

“We thank the @NCDCgov and @Chikwe_I for their support as we deepen our ongoing work with the Federal agency.”

Described as “the first of its kind” in the country, the mobile lab operates from a 40-feet container