sitemaster Rex Ikede
Correspondent, Jos
Dr. Ifaenyi Casmir, the National Publicity Secretary, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientist of Nigeria (AMLSN) has said that most rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits in Nigeria are not validated. Dr Casmir made this remarkon Tuesday, 13th October, 2020, while giving a good will message on behalf of the Association National President during the the press briefing by the Registrar/CEO of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Dr Tosan Erhabor, on progress report of second batch Validation of SARS -Cov-2 infection.
Dr Casmir urged the Federal Government to support the MLSCN in ensuring the health and safety of Nigerians is given topmost consideration. He said that, most RDTs in Nigeria Market today have not been subjected to the necessary validation process by MLSCN, adding that the quality of results coming from the use of such RDTs could not be guaranteed.
The Council boss, Dr Tosan Erhabor, gave the progress report of the second batch of validation of SARS -Cov-2 test kits in Nigeria. He said that out of the 33 SARS CoV-2 test kits that underwent validation exercise by the Cuncil, no RDT met the minimum required criteria. As such, none is recommended for clinical use in Nigeria.
However,on a positive note, the Registrar said in the category of PCR- based test kits, Viasure PCR test kit posted good performance characteristics and it is thus recommended for first line testing in Nigeria
While concluding the press briefing, Dr Tosan cautioned against the use of non- validated rapid test kits for COVID-19 testing in Nigeria as such will attract sanctions in accordance with the existing laws of the country
Edited by Dr Solomon Chollom
