The Nigeria Institute for Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, says it has commenced a drive-through test to make it easier for people to get tested and thus prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Director General of NIMR, Prof. Babatunde Lawal Salako, disclosed this via a telephone chat with PUNCH HealthWise, noting that the essence is to reach as many people as possible.
He explained that the initiative, in partnership with LifeBank, a healthcare technology and logistics company, commenced on Monday, March 30 and that so far, the response has been commendable.
On the number of tests to be conducted daily at the NIMR facility and the number of people that available kits can cover, Salako said the institute currently has the capacity to carry out 40 tests, but might go a little higher if the number of people presenting increases.
“We have limited testing kits and we do not also want to use all we have now to test those that do not fall into the specified category.
“This is to ensure we still have enough kit when we eventually need it,” he said.
Prof. Salako further said the duration and sustainability of the drive-through COVID-19 test also depends on how much support the agency gets from government and public-spirited individuals.
“The present testing initiative is made possible through collaborative efforts of the government and public-spirited individuals that donated funds so NIMR could acquire kits and Personal Protective Equipment for health workers taking the samples.
“We can have the capacity for more if we have people who are willing to key in and assist,” he said.
The NIMR DG, however, said the test is not open to all Nigerians, noting that those eligible are invited, after having visited and filled a form on the agency’s web site.
“Please, do not come so that you do not further expose yourself,” he advised.
“In this outbreak, the most important thing is case detection. If those that have the disease are detected, the appropriate measure will be taken so they do not infect other people.
“And if that happens, the disease can be contained. That is why we feel that we should do more of case detection and test only those who fall into the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control case definition.
“Many have not had access to testing. So, this is an opportunity for them to come out and be tested at NIMR facility in Yaba.
“But you cannot come unless you are invited.
“What we have done is to ask people to visit our website and fill a form. From the form, we will review to see if the person should be tested or not.
“If there is no need to be tested, you will not be invited. If you just want to be tested because you are anxious, we will not carry out the test.
“If we believe that you fall into the category to be tested, you will be invited to the centre, where the NCDC surveillance group will carry out a review and a sample taken,” he explained.
Asked if the test will not be selective, based on widespread allegations by Nigerians that testing for COVID-19 was targeted at the elite, Prof. Salako said, “Case definition does not target privileged individuals; rather, it’s targeted at the general population.
“If an individual has what we are looking for and is poor, rich or in-between, the person will be tested.
“It only happens that the picture we have now is that most people who have it are those who came back from abroad.
“And certainly, those who have the capacity to travel are the rich. But if community transmission starts, it is unlikely that it will leave out anybody, whether poor or rich.
“So we are doing all of this to try and contain the infection, to avoid it going beyond what we have now.
“People should feel free to visit NIMR website https://nimr.covid.com.ng at no cost and register,” he added.
Source: ThePunch
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