The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it will establish a molecular laboratory in Nasarawa State to enable medical experts conduct COVID-19 test for residents.

The Director-General of the centre, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, disclosed this during a courtesy call on Gov. Abdullahi Sule in Lafia on Wednesday.

Ihekweazu assured that the NCDC would work with the state government to set up the laboratory in the next few weeks.

The NCDC boss was in the state to inspect facilities at the Nasarawa State Infectious Diseases Control Centre in Lafia.

He commended the governor for investing heavily in the health security of the people.

He described the state-owned Infectious Diseases Control Centre as a great opportunity to pool together resources and expertise from the state, alongside the resources from the NCDC, as well as from research institutions and the private sector.

Ihekweazu promised to brief the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on the progress made in the state with a view to giving more support.

“I’m going to Abuja with two mandates. What I can do from the small pot of resources – human, technical and otherwise.

“But also really to passionately talk to the PTF to recognise the work you are doing and support you,” he told the governor.

He said if the molecular laboratory comes to fruition, COVID-19 test would be conducted in Lafia, instead of taking samples to Abuja.

Responding, Sule said the policy thrust of his administration is to complete every conceivable dream initiated by his predecessors.

He said that the infectious diseases control centre was started by the immediate past governor of the state, Sen. Umaru Al-makura.

Sule disclosed that even though his administration’s mantra is to promote economic empowerment and create employment, these are all predicated on three key issues; namely security, education and health.

He explained that even though the state may lack the resources to complete the centre on its own, efforts are geared toward wooing support from within and outside the state in order to make the centre functional.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NAN