27th April, 2020
By Taiwo Okanlawon
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Sunday said it was “desperately” looking for more Ribonucleic acid (RNA) extraction kits to expand testing.
NCDC Director-General Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu tweeted: “We’re desperately looking for more RNA extraction kits as we expand our COVID-19 testing.
“Product: Total viral RNA extraction kits (preferably spin column and with a lysis buffer). Manufacturers: Qiagen, Thermo Fischer, SeeGene, Inqaba, LifeRiver etc.”
We’re desperately looking for more RNA extraction kits as we expand #COVID19 testing
Product: Total viral RNA extraction kits (preferably spin column and with a lysis buffer)
Manufacturers: Qiagen, ThermoFischer, SeeGene, Inqaba, LifeRiver etc.
— Chikwe Ihekweazu (@Chikwe_I) April 26, 2020
However, on Monday morning, Ihekweazu tweeted again: “Very grateful to everyone who reached out to solve this challenge with us. Our support to each other, even when done quietly, will enable us pull through.
“One day, we will tell the story of this response in full. For now, we #keeppushing,” he added.
Very grateful to everyone who reached out to solve this challenge with us. Our support to each other, even when done quietly, will enable us pull through.
One day, we will tell the story of this response in full. For now, we #keeppushing https://t.co/shO7iO2goq
— Chikwe Ihekweazu (@Chikwe_I) April 27, 2020
The NCDC has done 10,413 tests as of April 24, with about 600 tested daily.