Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has said the the Federal Government’s decision to integrate private medical laboratories into the country’s COVID-19 response apparatus paid off.
Recognising the huge impact of the private sector on the country’s public health preparedness, especially with the menacing third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prof. Osinbajo called for more public-private partnerships in the areas of vaccines and diagnostics production.
The Vice-President spoke at the 23rd national conference and annual general meeting (AGM) of the Guild of Private Medical Laboratory Directors (GMLD) in Abuja.
Represented by the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, he said: “The expansion of the laboratories for COVID-19 testing nationwide from three at the start of the pandemic to now over 140 with the inclusion of private laboratories has been a significant contribution to preserving the health of Nigerians.
“The inclusion of the private sector was initially considered a risk. But thanks to the proactive leadership of NCDC and the support from the Presidential Task Force and, of course, the delivery of private medical laboratories, this risk has paid off.
“Diagnostics have continued to play a vital role in our ability to detect COVID-19 cases and have enabled us to mount an effective response to the outbreak.
“The efficient and smooth operations of medical laboratories in the country are dependent on the leadership, planning and commitment of you all here today.
“I applaud how far we have all come, and the strides we have made in reducing the spread of Coronavirus. However, we must remember that the pandemic has unfortunately caused over 180,000 confirmed cases, and over 2,000 deaths here in the country, and we are currently experiencing a new surge of infections.”
