Nigeria has only 2 Medical Lab. Scientists in Molecular Testing- Health Minister
T he Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora has said that Nigeria has only two Medical Laboratory Scientists in molecular testing, serving seven labs across the country.
The Minister stated this in a meeting between the leadership of the House of Representatives and the both Ministers of Health to clear the perceived misconceptions about the proposed visitation of the Chinese Medical experts to assist the country with the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “We need to expand our testing labs across the country. Presently, we have two lab scientists in molecular testing, serving seven labs across the country. As we are expanding across the country, we need more people to be trained in molecular testing for faster results”.
Speaking further, Minister of State for Health, Mamora, emphasized that the Chinese personnel were mainly experts in molecular laboratory testing, who were expected to help in setting up molecular laboratories around the country as well as upgrade and reconfigure existing ones in the country.
“Case testing is the bulk of work because some people are asymptomatic, so we need faster and rapid test kits and processing. We are doing molecular testing that helps us know the viral load as well" he added.
On his part, the Minister of Health, Ehanire, told the House leadership that Nigeria did not officially invite the Chinese team, but that it was an offer arranged by a group of Chinese companies based in Nigeria as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) to Nigeria.
Apart from the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila , those present at the meeting were the Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno; the Deputy Leader, Peter Akpatason, and the Deputy Chief Whip, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The Minister stated this in a meeting between the leadership of the House of Representatives and the both Ministers of Health to clear the perceived misconceptions about the proposed visitation of the Chinese Medical experts to assist the country with the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “We need to expand our testing labs across the country. Presently, we have two lab scientists in molecular testing, serving seven labs across the country. As we are expanding across the country, we need more people to be trained in molecular testing for faster results”.
Speaking further, Minister of State for Health, Mamora, emphasized that the Chinese personnel were mainly experts in molecular laboratory testing, who were expected to help in setting up molecular laboratories around the country as well as upgrade and reconfigure existing ones in the country.
“Case testing is the bulk of work because some people are asymptomatic, so we need faster and rapid test kits and processing. We are doing molecular testing that helps us know the viral load as well" he added.
On his part, the Minister of Health, Ehanire, told the House leadership that Nigeria did not officially invite the Chinese team, but that it was an offer arranged by a group of Chinese companies based in Nigeria as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) to Nigeria.
Apart from the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila , those present at the meeting were the Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno; the Deputy Leader, Peter Akpatason, and the Deputy Chief Whip, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.