The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) has launched a higher grade Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) laboratory at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.

 

The laboratory was inaugurated with support from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the United States Centre for Disease Control.

 

Speaking during the commissioning of the laboratory recently in Abuja, IHVN Associate Director, Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Oche Yusuf said the site which is presently managing over 9, 000 active HIV/AIDS patients will benefit immensely from the upgraded lab.

 

While saying that it would assist in measuring the viral load of patients and enhance services at the site, he said the site also conducts cervical cancer screening and research.

 

Chief Executive Officer of IHVN, Dr. Patrick Dakum said the institute would continue to support the centre to ensure quality services for HIV patients accessing treatment at the centre.

 

Dakum who was represented by Dr Anthony Okwosa said IHVN has been supporting the centre since 2005 and often sends new staff to the centre for training on proper management of HIV .

 

Acting Chief Medical Director, of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Dr Haruna Abubakar Shehu  said the hospital will make effective use of the machine saying that the hospital  targets using it for 24 hours a day.

 

Representative of the United States Centre for Disease Control,  McPaul Okoye at the event  said that studies have shown that using CD4 count was not as informing as using viral load machines.

. The Daily Trust