A Medical Laboratory Scientist, Virologist and Lecturer with Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK), Ishaku Akyala Ph.D has called on the 36 State Governors in Nigeria to make concerted efforts toward setting up diagnostic testing centres in their various States in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 Nationally.

“If Governors can set up isolation centres, let them move to set up testing centres” Dr. Akyala posited.

He said if the Country must make headway in combating the Coronavirus Pandemic, then there is need for the Nation to expand its testing capacity across States of the Federation.

He said with N35 million, setting up a diagnostic centre from the scratch by Governors can be achieved for testing COVID-19 which include supply of Rest Time, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) system for testing, training of Laboratory personnel, installation and maintenance.

Dr. Akyala urged Governors to slash the salaries and allowances of political appointees by 70% and use the resources to set up testing Laboratories at Local Government Level.

“Let all House of Assembly members forfeit their one month salaries to enable us set up testing centers in their constituencies”

“It’s time for states to build reserves for the future”

“Together, we can strategically take Responsibility and ensure that every life is safe.” he concluded.

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COVID-19: Nigerian Virologist, Dr. Ishaku Akyala Pleads With Governors to Establish Testing Centres