COVID-19 Testing in Nigeria: The who, when, where, how, Centres and cost.
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the National Centre for Disease Control has shared on their verified Twitter handle the A-Z of COVID-19 testing in Nigeria including the the criteria for testing, who, when, how, where, and cost.
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Who can get tested for #COVID-19?
1. Anyone with history of travel outside of Nigeria, who presents with fever, cough or difficulty breathing within 14 days of arrival
2. Anyone who comes in contact with a confirmed case who presents with these symptoms within 14 days of contact.
3. Those with fever and respiratory symptoms in areas of moderate-high prevalence.
How do I get tested for COVID19?
*Call your state hotline or NCDC on 080097000010
*Stay at home & wait for further instructions
*The state team will arrange for sample collection & transportation from your location to the lab
*Remain in self-isolation while testing is on
Will I pay for testing at the lab? What is the cost of testing?
No. There is no payment for laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Ignore any rumors of payment out there, it is complete fake news. Testing for coronavirus in Nigeria is free of charge. Also, don’t be scammed, no private lab in Nigeria do COVID-19 testing for now.
How do I contact my State?
Most states have established hotlines now. We have put this together in a list and in zones.
Please contact your state first.
If you are unable to reach the state, please contact NCDC directly.
How is COVID19 tested?
According to Wikipedia, it is done with the real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) on respiratory samples obtained by various methods, including nasopharyngeal swab or sputum sample. Results are generally available within a few hours to 2 days.
Molecular methods leverage polymerase chain reaction (PCR) along with nucleic acid tests, and other advanced analytical techniques, to detect the genetic material of the virus using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for diagnostic purposes.
Here is a video of the NCDC collecting throat and nasal samples from a Nigerian lady that was showing symptoms of coronavirus after returning from the UK. 👇
COVID-19 TESTING CENTRES IN NIGERIA
1. IRRUA SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, EDO STATE
2. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH, YABA LAGOS
3. LAGOS UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL (LUTH)
4. LAGOS BIOBANK
5. AFRICAN CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR GENOMICS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN OSUN STATE.
6. NCDC NATIONAL REFERENCE LABORATORY, ABUJA
7. VIROLOGY LABORATORY OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL, IBADAN
8. DEFENCE REFERENCE LAB, FCT
9. ALEX EKWUEME FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, EBONYI
10. In Abuja, there are now two Testing Laboratories, one in Gaduwa and one in Mogadishu, Asokoro. These labs are aimed to test about 1,000 people a day.
11. Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano
12. The NCDC has confirmed that four additional molecular laboratories to test for COVID-19 will be in operation soon; locations are Kaduna, Jos, Sokoto, Port Harcourt and Maiduguri.
Caveat: PCR testing for COVID19 is more reliable and much more accurate than rapid diagnostic test kits. Though, PCR is far more expensive and results takes longer to be out.
Sources:
NCDC
WIKIPEDIA
