Nahimah Ajikanle Nurudeen
The U.S. Government, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), on Friday inaugurated a state-of-the-art polio modular laboratory at University College Hospital, Ibadan, to improve the efficiency of polio diagnosis in Nigeria through reliable environmental sampling.
A statement from the US Mission Nigeria, Corporate Affairs Unit said the new facility, which cost an estimated $400,000, exists alongside a World Health Organization (WHO) accredited polio laboratory in Ibadan.
The U.S. Consul General, John Bray while inaugurating the facility alongside Federal Government representatives said equipment was the first in the country that can detect wild polio virus from waste water.
Bray said, “This new facility will enhance Nigeria’s ability to respond to polio outbreaks quickly, by promptly diagnosing polio from samples received from the 48 environmental sewage sites across the country.
“The eradication of poliomyelitis will be accomplished only when polio laboratories provide convincing diagnostic evidence of the absence of wild poliovirus infections in humans and prolonged circulation in the environment.”
More than 70 participants attended the event, including Nigerian government officials, representatives of donor agencies, UN agencies and Rotary International.
To help Nigeria address its high mortality rates, USAID helps increase access to quality family planning and reproductive health services, immunizations, polio eradication, malaria prevention and maternal health services.
USAID also provides technical support to immunization campaigns through social mobilization, and other activities.
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