The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has issued guidelines for private laboratories to join the national response against COVID-19.
The director-general of the NDDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, made this announcement while speaking at the presidential task force briefing on Monday, May 11.
According to the NCDC DG, the guidelines will be made available on the agency’s website.
He said: “We have now come up with guidelines for integrating the private sector into COVID-19 testing.
“So, every private sector lab that wants to join can pick up the COVID-19 testing guidelines that we will upload on our website tonight, look through it and define what they need to do and we will support them through that process.
“This is one bit of the changes we continue to make in our response to the pandemic.”
In the guidelines titled ‘Integration of Private Sector Laboratories in National COVID-19 Response’, the NCDC noted that tests should be conducted free for patients where feasible.
The agency said: “A memorandum of understanding (MOU) may be signed between the state and the private sector that provides details of cost implications and operational support. As part of its national mandate.
“All private sector laboratories should have valid registration with relevant national and state level authorities to perform diagnostic testing.
“All staff working within the facilities should be appropriately trained and registered with appropriate national bodies.
“Where feasible, testing should be conducted at no cost to the patient. If private patients are charged for diagnostic tests, it should be at cost with no additional charges.
“NCDC will commit to supply reagents and extraction kits for continued operations.
“Assessment of facilities to be conducted by NCDC staff and other relevant stakeholders. Provide all infrastructure needs to ensure 24-hour operations, 7 days a week.”
