The private sector-led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) has donated N1.4 billion worth of medical supplies and additional 26,400 test kits to the Federal Government in continuation of private sector’s supports for the ongoing containment fight against the pandemic.
The medical supplies and test kits were handed over to the Federal Government at the weekend.
Chief Executive Officer, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, who represented CACOVID, presented the test kits and medical equipment at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Lagos Office.
She expressed optimism that the test kits and medical supplies would further expand testing capabilities across the nation to meet critical health infrastructure need to combat the virus.
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The items included MicPCR Realtime PCR Systems; RNA Extraction Kits; Well PCR Tube Strips; Well Semi-skirted PCR Plates; Pipette Tips; Oral and Nasal Swab Sets; Tongue Depressors, Viral Transport Media and Disposable Latex Medical Gloves among others.
Zouera said the items could sufficiently set up six medical laboratories and collect samples for over 26,400 people.
Deputy Director, NCDC, Lagos office Mrs. Babatunde Olajumoke lauded CACOVID for the donation and described the gesture as integral to the success of COVID-19 response in the country.
“The capacity to test is very integral to the success of COVID-19 response by confirming, isolating, managing cases and containing outbreak in communities. The NCDC, DG had earlier communicated plans to expand testing to three million people in three months and donations like this will surely help in achieving this goal,” Olajumoke said.
Team Lead, NCDC, Rapid Response Team, Lagos Dr. Kola Jinadu said the continuous support and donations by CACOVID over the last months had saved so many lives and thanked the coalition for committing invaluable resources towards this cause.
This donation comes on the heels of the inauguration of a 150-bed isolation centre in Yaba, Lagos – one of the 38 isolation centres set up across the nation to provide adequate treatment to those infected by the virus and stop the overall spread of the virus within the state.
