HIV testing, treatment: USAID, Taraba commission remodeled PCR lab

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Tuesday, joined the Taraba state government to commission the remodeled Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Laboratory at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), and other priority diseases testing and treatment monitoring.
A press statement by the US agency said, “In April 2023, a devastating fire destroyed the PCR laboratory, which brought life-saving HIV/AIDS treatment to the people of Taraba state.
“In response, USAID worked with the management of FMC Jalingo to remodel the virology laboratory in the facility to serve as a PCR laboratory, a specialised lab that tests HIV with high accuracy and precision.
“Following the remodeling, USAID also installed a Hologic Panther Plus, a specialised PCR equipment for HIV testing with high output and short turnaround time – in the laboratory to enable resumption of testing.”
According to the statement, Deputy Director, USAID/Nigeria HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis Office, Dr. Ezekiel James, while speaking at the commissioning said, “We hope that the remodeled laboratory will increase HIV testing and treatment for the people of Taraba and Adamawa states.”
The statement noted that through PEPFAR, USAID provides operational and technical support to FMC Jalingo’s PCR laboratory, which is one of four USAID-supported and 12 PEPFAR-supported PCR laboratories in Nigeria.
‘The lab analyses HIV viral load in people on antiretroviral therapy and tests infants exposed to HIV. As part of Government of Nigeria efforts to boost Taraba state’s ability to support HIV prevention, care and treatment programs, USAID improved the technical capacity of healthcare workers and quality of service delivery in the molecular laboratory.
“The remodeled laboratory resumed full operations in May 2024 and has tested more than 9,333 viral load samples, enabling people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in both states to follow the progress of their treatment and to live healthy and productive lives,” the US agency added.