Bauchi Gets 2nd Molecular Laboratory As TetFUND Establishes State Of The Art Laboratory In ATBUTH
…As Gov. Mohammed says it’s a tool for boosting capacity on COVID-19
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFUND) has established a N100m Molecular, Genetic and Infectious Diseases Laboratory at the College of Medical Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.
This brings to two of such laboratories in Bauchi to facilitate sample testing of COVID-19 infection among others.
While inspecting the laboratory, Governor Bala Abdulkadir described it as a tool for boosting government’s capacity on COVID-19 testing, adding that with the second molecular laboratory, the state government will achieve its desired objectives of making sure that community testing of COVID-19 is carried out in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
The governor noted that the establishment of the laboratory is timely, stressing that it would no doubt help in strengthening the capacity of the state government in healthcare delivery.
He further said; “We are happy that the Federal Government is giving us the required attention through its Agencies. I thank the management of this Teaching Hospital and indeed our health workers for their support.
“The support of the TetFUND is timely and came at a time when we needed it. We must thank our son, Professor Sulaiman Bogoro for this historic gesture. It is worthy sons like him we want in Bauchi State”.
Mohammed expressed satisfaction with the standards of the facilities in the laboratory and applauded the federal government for its support to the states to tackle COVID-19 spread.
On the plans of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to lockdown Bauchi Local Government Area, Governor Mohammed expressed concern over the non-compliance by citizens with the NCDC guidelines against COVID-19 and therefore called on all the people of the state to ensure total adherence to all the protocols, stressing that the existence of the virus is real.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor of ATBU, Prof Muhammad Abdulaziz commended the State Government for the support always accorded the institution, saying that it has been a tremendous synergy.
Abdulaziz assured that the new laboratory will be put to maximum use to make sure that scientific researches are carried out on every known infectious diseases in the state in order to develop vaccine and treatment methods for them.
Acting Chief Medical Director of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Dr Saidu Abubakar, said that the hospital is fully prepared to commence operations with a testing capacity of 300 suspected cases a day.
Abubakar then called on the people of Bauchi State to take advantage of the establishment of the laboratory by coming out to be tested in order to know their COVID-19 status.
