The National Reference Laboratory (NRL), has been selected as one of 12 laboratories in Africa that will provide genomic sequencing capacity for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the continent. Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN).
The COVID-19 genome sequencing laboratory network was launched with several African countries alongside Nigeria by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Africa Centre for Disease Control. According to the Director, Africa CDC, and WHO Regional Director, this partnership is important in determining the response to various SARS-CoV-2 strains and in helping countries manage localized or imported transmission.
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General, NCDC
Dr. Ihekweazu said over the last four years, they have focused on establishing the research functions of the NCDC National Reference Laboratory. These functions include genetic sequencing capacity, biobanking, and similar functions.
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