DG NCDC Commissions Ebonyi Molecular Laboratory; says centre

A new Molecular Laboratory which was built by the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki in Ebonyi State has been commissioned.

Commissioning the project, the Director general of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu expressed hope that the Center would be the hub of Science in Nigeria.

The Laboratory, located at the Viral Research, Treatment and Control Centre of the AEFUTHA, was built by the NCDC and equipped by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health.

Dr Ihekweazu urged the management of the hospital to ensure the capacity building of the workers for optimum use of the Laboratory.

The Board Chairman of AEFUTHA, Dr Tijjani Ramalan, in his remarks said the project was challenging, but expressed happiness it had been successfully completed and put to use.

Ramalan who said the laboratory would take the hospital to the next level, noting that the project was one of the giant steps towards making the hospital the world medical tourism centre.

Dr Emeka Onwe Ogah, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, commended the NCDC boss for the numerous assistance and support the hospital had been receiving from the NCDC, especially for building the molecular centre for the hospital.

Ogah also commended President Muhammad Buhari-led Federal Government for assisting the hospital to equip the molecular laboratory, noted that the centre would tremendously enhance the operations of the hospital.

He, however, appealed to the Federal Government to convert the Viral Research, Treatment and Control Centre of the hospital to a regional centre, since, according to him, it is the only centre, currently serving South-East and South-South regions of the country.

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Daniel Umezurike, described the building and commissioning of the AEFUTHA molecular laboratory as a milestone, and commended the NCDC for making it possible.

Umezurike assured that Ebonyi State Government would continue to support the hospital in the best way it could.

Head of Mission Nigeria, Dr EwalD Stals, who described the Laboratory as a world class, expressed happiness that their partnership with the hospital was working.