Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen laboratory diagnostics – Why access to reliable and affordable diagnostics is key to building resilient laboratory systems

Since 2016, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been strengthening its technical capacities as the country’s national public health institute.1 One key area receiving considerable attention has been the strengthening of laboratory diagnostic and networking capabilities for diseases of public health importance. Previous investments in strengthening and financing laboratory capacities have focused almost entirely on single disease programmes. In just over two years, the NCDC has made progress in changing this situation with the operationalisation of a new National Reference Laboratory. The National Reference Laboratory has the diagnostic capacity for national priority diseases, including yellow fever (YF), Lassa fever, monkeypox, cerebrospinal meningitis, cholera, influenza and other enteric pathogens. In addition, a specimen referral system has been established to cover the large geographic expanse of the country and a national laboratory network supporting 41 facilities. The national laboratory network integrates vertical disease networks for the standardisation of testing algorithms and improvement of coordination and functionality. ...