NCDC donates Infectious Disease Centre, Molecular laboratory to Taraba State

In line with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s (NCDC) mandate to support states in strengthening health security, the agency has established and equipped an Infectious Disease Care Centre (IDCC) and molecular laboratory at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, Taraba State.

The establishment of the treatment centre and the laboratory is the result of the strong collaboration between the Federal and State Governments.

The project was commissioned by the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora and handed over to the State Ministry of Health and Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, which are expected to provide leadership and coordination for the use of these resources.

While handing over the newly built treatment centre to FMC Jalingo, the Minister of State for Health,  Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, commended the efforts of NCDC and the management of FMC Jalingo for their determination to see these projects to fruition.

“I must start by thanking Mr President for his commitment. At the onset of the pandemic, Nigeria had just four molecular laboratories to test for the virus, we now have almost 120 laboratories across the government and private facilities. COVID-19 is not sparing. It has devastated the lives and livelihood of so many. We are building these structures so that we are better prepared for future outbreaks and the next pandemic” Dr Mamora said.

In his remarks, the NCDC Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu said that as the country’s national public health institute, NCDC has supported states in their preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks. “We are committed to building functional and sustainable structures that will strengthen our national health security, now and for the future. This pandemic has challenged us greatly but has also provided us clarity on what we need to do to secure our future. History will not judge us kindly if we fail to act and act appropriately.” Dr Ihekweazu said.

He said that the support also includes supporting the establishment of diagnostic capacity, public health emergency operations centres, as well as training of health workers and rapid responders across states.

He added that in the last eleven months NCDC has supported each of the thirty-six states in Nigeria to activate testing capacity for COVID-19, further strengthening the resilience of our health system.

The Chairman of the FMC Management Board, Barr Okey Ezea, assured the State Government of the Centre’s commitment to delivering quality health care to the citizens of Taraba.

“Having an Isolation and Infectious Diseases Treatment Centre within this hospital had for a long time been our dream. The dream is now a reality. The coming of these facilities is well-timed and will go a long way in the effective management and treatment of infectious disease cases in the state during epidemics, such as Lassa fever and COVID-19.” Ezea assured.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, several states in Nigeria had limited capacity for the management and detection of infectious diseases.

In response to this, NCDC has been supporting states in establishing treatment centres and molecular laboratories. In the last eight months, four Infectious Disease Care Centres have been commissioned across states.

Zainab Sa’id