The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Tuesday reacted to the reported cheaper testing method in Dakar, Senegal, during the media briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja.
The reaction came through the NCDC DG, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu when he said a sample test of COVID-19 cost between $18 and $20. Saying no way that the new testing method will be available at the reported price ($1).
In his reaction, he also added that human resources and other capital expenses were not included in the cost.
The NCDC DG also added that not until the middle of the year, the new testing method would not be available. He added that it will not be as cheap as the media reported it.
He noted that Senegal had always enjoyed the presence of the World Health Organization. Citing that WHO is running a reference laboratory in the country.
He said, “There is a long-standing World Health Organization laboratory in Dakar, Senegal that has been a reference center for a long time. There is a new testing development that will become available sometime in June or July. It is not available now. All the tests they have done so far (in Senegal) were done using PCR (polymerase chain reaction). There is no way that it (the new testing method) will be available at that price ($1).
“It costs between $18 and $20 to test a COVID-19 sample. This is for reagent alone. We have not put a cost to human resources and other costs.”
