115,800 Additional test kits to fight COVID-19 for Nigeria

*UNICEF says testing remains the mainstay of the response led by PTF on COVID-19, NCDC, and the first step towards diagnosing the infection

*We understand this virus is here to stay for the foreseeable future, says IHS Nigeria CEO

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

In order to further enhance capacity in managing the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that it received crucial supplies of test kits to support the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Mr. Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Country Representative, disclosed this in a statement Tuesday, after taking a delivery of 115,800 COVID-19 test kits by IHS Nigeria, the Nigerian subsidiary of IHS Towers.

The UNICEF Representative said: “Testing remains the mainstay of the response led by the Presidential Task Force and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the first step toward diagnosing the infection.

“Tests enable health officials to understand the COVID-19 status of an individual and link that person to care, support and treatment while contributing to the protection of families and communities.”

Hawkins commended IHS Towers for its commitment to the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria.

The company has shown great generosity in supporting government’s agenda through partnering with UNICEF, he stated.

Hawkins said: “UNICEF is delighted to receive this huge contribution from IHS Towers, the benefit of which will reach many more children and their families.

“This recent support of essential tests makes IHS Towers the biggest private sector donor for UNICEF Nigeria’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of NCDC, also said that testing remained a core strategy of Nigeria’s response to COVID-19.

According to Dr. Ihekweazu, it is critical for understanding the burden of the disease on the population and targeting response activities accordingly.

The NCDC Chief stated that “the primary goal of the Nigerian Government is to control the spread of this disease.

“This donation from IHS Nigeria, through UNICEF, will contribute to the national stockpile of test kits managed by NCDC, and support efforts of the growing network of accredited laboratories across the country for the testing of COVID-19.

“We are grateful for the continued support from UNICEF, IHS Towers and other partners,” the director-general said.

Mr. Mohamad Darwish, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IHS Nigeria, stated that the company was glad to have played an important role in supporting government and communities where it operates to provide crucial tools needed to fight the pandemic.

Darwish said: “We understand this virus is here to stay for the foreseeable future.

“But we are confident that with our support, and that of our other private sector colleagues, we are helping to manage and mitigate the impact of the virus in our country.”