The Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC has commissioned Molecular Laboratory in Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria.
The Director General NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu said the completed and well equipped Molecular Laboratory in the Virology Center in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki AEFUTHA, is to better the lives of all Nigerians.
This is to ensure that the medical wellbeing of Nigerians particularly Ebonyi people is taken care of.
Dr Ihekweazu said the the Laboratory was built by NCDC and was equipped by Federal Government intervention fund.
The Director General said he is happy to for the Laboratory.
“Molecular Laboratory in medicine is a laboratory test that checks for certain genes, proteins or other molecules in a sample of tissue, blood, or other body fluid. Molecular tests also check for certain changes in a gene or chromosome that may cause or affect the chance of developing a specific disease or disorder such as cancer”, Ihekweazu said.
Centre for saving lives
The Board Chairman of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Alhaji Tijani Ramalan said the Molecular Laboratory will serve as centre for saving lives.
The Chief Medical Director of AEFUTHA, Emeka Ogah said Molecular Laboratory is where critical tests are conducted.
“A molecular test may be done with other procedures such as biopsies to help diagnose some types of cancer. It may also be used to help plan treatment, find out how well treatment is working, or make a prognosis”, Dr Onwe said.
The Head of Mission Nigeria, Dr Ewald Stals expressed happiness over the edifice and the equipment.
“This is to show that our partnership is working. This is a world class molecular laboratory for viral diseases”, Stals said.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Daniel Umezuruike said the Laboratory is a mile stone in the health sector.
Umezuruike said the Laboratory would solve the challenges normally experienced in the hospital.
He thanked Ebonyi State Government for being a partner in progress.
Nneka Ukachukwu
