The Federal Government has taken a transformative step in strengthening its medical preparedness and diagnostic capabilities with the commissioning of a state-of-the-art ultra mega Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) laboratory at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Lagos.
BusinessDay reports that the lab was unveiled during the 10th yearly International Bioethics Forum (IBEF) held at the institute in Yaba, and is expected to enhance disease detection, surveillance, and research, as well as improve the country’s healthcare system.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, emphasised the lab’s vital role in tackling infectious diseases and advancing biomedical research.
“The establishment of this ultra mega PCR laboratory is a transformative leap in our healthcare infrastructure. It will provide critical diagnostic support for managing HIV, COVID-19, Lassa fever, and other viral infections,” he said.
He said the lab aligns with Nigeria’s health security strategy and contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.
Salako said that NIMR possesses significant capacity to contribute to medical research and public health and urged researchers to align their work with Nigeria’s national priorities, which would be set jointly by researchers and the government to ensure their relevance and impact.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting NIMR through funding and capacity-building initiatives. He stressed the importance of research in addressing health challenges and announced plans to increase NIMR’s budget while seeking external funding opportunities.
Salako acknowledged that financial resources would always be limited but emphasised the need to demonstrate tangible achievements to secure further support.
