By Gloria Ikibah
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Taraba State government have commissioned the remodeled Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Laboratory at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jalingo for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and other priority diseases testing and treatment monitoring, on Wednesday September 11, 2024.
Naijablitznews.com reports that in April 2023, a devastating fire destroyed the PCR laboratory, which brought life-saving HIV/AIDS treatment to the people of Taraba State. In response, USAID worked with the management of FMC Jalingo to remodel the virology laboratory in the facility to serve as a PCR laboratory, a specialized lab that tests HIV with high accuracy and precision.
Following the remodeling, USAID also installed a Hologic Panther Plus – a specialized PCR equipment for HIV testing with high output and short turnaround time – in the laboratory to enable resumption of testing.
Speaking at the commissioning, USAID/Nigeria HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis Office Deputy Director, Dr. Ezekiel James said, “We hope that the remodeled laboratory will increase HIV testing and treatment for the people of Taraba and Adamawa states.”
Through PEPFAR, USAID provides operational and technical support to FMC Jalingo’s PCR laboratory, which is one of four USAID-supported and 12 PEPFAR-supported PCR laboratories in Nigeria. The lab analyzes HIV viral load in people on antiretroviral therapy and tests infants exposed to HIV. As part of Government of Nigeria efforts to boost Taraba State’s ability to support HIV prevention, care and treatment programs, USAID improved the technical capacity of healthcare workers and quality of service delivery in the molecular laboratory.
The remodeled laboratory resumed full operations in May 2024 and has tested more than 9,333 viral load samples, enabling people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in both states to follow the progress of their treatment and to live healthy and productive lives.