On June 29, Lagos Government inaugurated a private lab consortium to expand testing capacity for COVID-19 in the state. Findings however revealed that despite the already high cost of testing (at nearly double the monthly minimum wage) in the 7 accredited laboratories, some of them still levy extra charges they refer to as ‘logistics, home visit or mobilisation fee.’

The extra charges range from N10,000 to N50,000. Findings show that cost of the test might pose a challenge for the average citizen in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, during a briefing at Alausa, said the private laboratories were selected through a rigorous validation process. Director of Lagos Biobank, Dr. Bamidele Mutiu, said the accredited laboratories had capacity to test for the virus “within the parameters of the COVID-19 Lagos testing strategy."

It may be recalled that, on April 19, the state government said in order to increase COVID-19 testing capacity in Lagos, it had set up sampling stations in the 20 local government areas for citizens who fit the case definition of COVID-19, to visit and drop samples for testing. PUNCH HealthWise had reported that the sampling stations did not take off as expected.

Meanwhile, the 7 private laboratories currently licensed by the state government to carry out COVID-1 tests are --Total Medical Services,
-- SynLab,
-- 54 Gene,
-- Medbury Medical Services,
-- Biologix Medical Services,
-- 02 Medical Services, and
-- Clina Lancet Laboratories;
while commissioner Abayomi reiterated more private laboratories will be accredited as soon as they go through the rigorous validation process set by government. “This is to avoid monopoly,” Abayomi explained, while reminding members of the public that the state’s public testing centres “are still free and accessible to all Lagosians.”

Such public laboratories are the
-- Lagos State Bio-bank at the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba;
-- Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba;
-- Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba; and the
-- Central Public Health Laboratory, Yaba.
As of July 6, a total number of 43,978 COVID-19 tests has been conducted in the state, the commissioner said.

Meanwhile, findings by our Correspondent show that cost of testing at any of the accredited private laboratories is N50,400 (an amount nearly double the monthly minimum wage of N30,000) effectively pricing it out of the reach of the majority of residents.

As if that is not a disincentive to go for COVID-19 testing, two of the private laboratories approached by our Correspondent said they charge extra N10,000 and N50,000 respectively for what they called “logistics” or “mobilisation.” In other words, clients stand to pay either N60,400 or N100,400 in any of the two centres if logistics or mobilisation fees are factored into their charges.

Although Prof. Abayomi had promised that, “as the public protector,” the state government would regulate cost of COVID-19 testing In Lagos, at 54gene, it was gathered that apart from the N50,400 payable for COVID-19 test, a client may also be required to pay an extra fee of N50,000 for “mobilisation,” based on certain conditions.

A gate man at its Lekki, Lagos Island office, told our Correspondent clients are not allowed to come to the centre for COVID-19 test. “You have to call the number on the website and they will put you through on the procedure. However, if it’s an organisation who wishes to have their staff tested, they can come here for the test; but in individual cases, samples are collected and brought here,” he said.

When PUNCH HealthWise called the number (07000544363) on its Facebook page, which the mobile caller detector, Trucaller, identified as ‘Janet-Gene,’ the responder explained that the biotechology company is not a walk-in centre for COVID-19. “It’s not a walk-in laboratory. If you are interested in having a COVID-19 test in our lab, you need to send an email to our official mail [hello@54gene.com] with details of the test you want, the capacity, the number of family and we will get back to you.”

According to her, 54gene used to conduct tests for only corporate bodies until recently when it decided to be testing individuals. “We just recently integrated private testing; we didn’t use to do that. We were targeting corporate companies. This has just been integrated and our target used to be a family or individuals from 10 [in number] and above.”

On the process for testing, Janet said there were sample collection centres in the state and that interested individuals will go to the one closest to them for sample collection. “Some people are not comfortable with us coming to their houses, so we have sample collection centres and we will choose the one closest to you and take your sample; but it depends on whatever works for you. If you want to do the test now, I can forward your details to the account officer, who will create an invoice for you and keep you updated as soon as possible.

“Once your sample is collected, we will get your biodata and create an account for you. Once done, you will get an email prompting you to verify your account. For verification, you will input a password and create a PIN, which will allow you to access your result within 48 hours once it is ready,” she said. On price payable, she said, “The regular price for COVID-19 testing is N50,400, but when you want us to come to where you stay, it will cost an extra N50,000 for mobilisation. That will be N100,400.”

When our Correspondent visited Medbury Medical Services, located at Lekki, it was gathered that testing started after the state government announced its inclusion. However, the designated place for the Polymerase Chain Reaction test is at the Ikeja office. “We were carrying out the test here, but since we have other clients coming in for other diagnostic tests and medical services, management had to decide to designate the Ikeja office for COVID-19 testing.

“Normally, when people come here, we carry out the test in their cars, as they are not allowed to come into the clinic,” the front desk officer told our Correspondent. Continuing, she said, “At the moment, I have to refer you to Ikeja where you will be attended to and you will get the information you need.”

When our Correspondent arrived the Ikeja clinic on Abba Johnson Crescent, it was observed that two individuals walked in to have their tests done. When asked the procedure for having a COVID-19 test, a lady who identified herself as Mosun said, “We don’t just allow people to come here because it is a sensitive period. So, we try to be discreet with it.

“We usually prefer to go to the person for the sample collection, but some people prefer coming to the clinic. So, the procedure is that you have to send an email or put a call through to the numbers on the website requesting the test and we will get back to you within 2 hours. “If you prefer coming here, then we will schedule an appointment with you within 2 to 3 days.

“We basically conduct tests for organisations or a group of people. But, we still carry out tests for individuals now since we have some people requesting the test. “It costs N50,400 and that is the fixed price from the Lagos State Government,” Mosun explained. Another lady who was identified as Bola added that visitors are not allowed into the clinic for safety purposes.

“It’s a PCR test and it takes less than 15 minutes, but the results are released within two days and maximum of three days.” Bola also disclosed that the organisation charges an extra fee for logistics. “Since some people prefer confidentiality and they want us to come to the house, we will charge for logistics, depending on location. “For instance, if you want us to come to Surulere, we will charge N10,000 for logistics.

“If the individuals are more than 30 in number, we prefer they come to our clinic; but if they are not up to that, we can go to the house and the test will be out within 2 to 3 days.” When asked the step to follow if one tests positive, Bola said, “You will be referred to Lagos State Government. We have an isolation preparation with the state government and if someone tests positive and you want us to take charge of the treatment, we will invite the NCDC officials to take it up from there; but it comes at a fee,” Mosun stated.

OUT OF REACH OF COMMON MAN--MEDICAL GUILD
Chairman, Medical Guild, Lagos, Dr. Oluwajimi Sodipo, in an interview with our Correspondent, said cost of testing is beyond reach of the common man. “The truth of the matter is that it is expensive beyond the reach of the common man. However, our view is that it is okay for as long as it does not affect ability of the populace to access COVID-19 testing at the government-owned facility and there is no reduction in the amount of testing at those facilities.

“Ideally, all efforts should be made for the curve to be driven down, because COVID-19 is a public health challenge, as, having one COVID-19 patient can expose many others,” Shodipo said. He said all efforts should be made to ensure that the price is affordable for all. The aim at the various private facilities should be increasing accessibility and not profit-making, because the [N54,000] price tag is not affordable for 99% of Nigerians,” Shodipo added.

IT IS EXORBITANT--NARD
President, National Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba, said the amount being charged for the COVID-19 testing at the private centres is too high for people to afford. “The situation is terrible and, unfortunately, this is a country where private sectors operate unregulated. There is no reason for COVID-19 test to be as high as that. In fact, the test should be free; and if any private institution is allowed to test, the state should ensure it is done at a minimal price so it can be affordable for people,” Sokomba said.

He recommended that Lagos government should find a way to increase the number of public laboratories for COVID-19 testing in the state.

SOURCE (abridged): https://healthwise.punchng.com/lagos-laboratories-accredited-for-covid-19-testing-charge-extra-fees-ranging-from-n10000-to-n50000/

Hmmm

Instead of creating more government testing centre that is Free, they decided to privatise to cronies without regulating the charges.
And the few government centres do not have the capacity to test enough people.
That's why the spread is increasing daily.
Those that have it, keep spreading before doing test , cos they can't afford private centres.
We still joking with COVID 19.

just to test Malaria/typhoid oo

another episode of only in naija