NCDC Boss commissions AEFUTHA Molecular Lab in Ebonyi

By Victor Nwegede

The Director General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu on Tuesday commissioned the Molecular Laboratory built in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AEFUTHA), Ebonyi State.
While commissioning the project, Ihekweazu said the building was constructed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control with COVID-19 molecular laboratory intervention fund by the Federal government.

He expressed optimism that the centre would be the hub of science in the country and urged the management to ensure the capacity building of the staff for maximum use  of the laboratory.

Also speaking, the Board Chairman of AEFUTHA, Alhji Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan stated that the laboratory was tasking and stressed its successful completion has become a great value to the society. 

He also stated that the project was one of the giant steps towards making the hospital the world medical tourism centre.


On his own part, the Chief Medical Director of AEFUTHA, Dr Emeka Onwe Ogah extolled the NCDC Director General  for his numerous supports to the hospital, which according to him, facilitated the  building of the molecular laboratory.


Ogah commended President Muhammad Buhari's led administration for assisting the hospital to equip the molecular laboratory, and hinted that the centre would go a long way to enhance the operations of the health institution.


Ogah also requested from the Federal government to convert the viral research, treatment and control centre of the hospital to a regional centre.

According to him, the AEFUTHA's Chief Medical Director, the molecular laboratory is the only centre that is currently serving South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria.


Meanwhile, the Ebonyi Governor, Chief David Umahi ably represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Daniel Umezurike has described the processes involved in the building and commissioning of the molecular laboratory as a milestone, and applauded the NCDC for making it a reality.

He pledged a continuous support of the Ebonyi State government to the hospital.

NATIONAL PANEL reports that the Head of Mission Nigeria, Dr Ewald Stals,  also described the AEFUTHA Molecular laboratory as a world class and hinted that their partnership with the hospital yielded a success.