The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of N8.49 billion for the purchase of 12 items in various quantities by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to boost COVID-19 testing capacity in the country.
The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, announced this on Wednesday after the 11th virtual federal cabinet meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
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Dr Ehanire, who said community transmission of the coronavirus disease had affected 586 local government areas (LGAs), stated that efforts were being made to have one sample collection center in each of the 774 LGAs in the country.
He said “the memo is as a result of special intervention fund for COVID-19 which is operated by the Presidential Task Force (PTF).
“It allocates these resources for Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) preparedness.
“So, we are procuring testing materials right from sample materials to other kits diagnostic in our laboratories systems to be able to respond properly to community transmission phase.
“We have already made plans to have at least one sample collection center in every local government, minimum of 774 and these resources will be necessary to go around the 774 local government areas, to ensure that persons in rural areas and small towns are not excluded and to ensure that not only the big cities are the ones that are being attended to.
“So, that is the basis for the memo.
“The cost is N8.49 billion to procure the items that are involved.
“There are a total of 12 items, the quantities involved are large numbers which will be sent out later.”
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