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To enhance the skills of biotechnicians to maintain laboratory equipment across the country, the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) has conducted a five-day training on calibration and certification of biosafety cabinet (BSC) equipment.

 IHVN NSF Enhanced Accredited Biosafety Cabinet Certifier, Mr. Olatokun F Ayobami, said that BSC equipment is the main containment equipment used to safeguard laboratory workers and the environment against infectious biological materials. “The training is to build the capacities of staff of Implementing Partners and the government,” he said.

Participants were taken through lectures and practical sessions on installing, using, and performing basic checks for Bio-safety cabinets.

IHVN Senior Technical Adviser, Laboratory Services, Dr. Sam Peters urged participants to utilize the skills gained at the basic certification training. “This is the first time this kind of training is being held in Nigeria. I urge you to hold firmly to what you have learned,” he said.

A trainee, Mr. Nsiffiok Sebastian Okon noted that the training has equipped them and spurred them to advance towards being internationally certified Biosafety Cabinet Engineers. “The training has been very instructive with a lot of opportunity for hands-on sessions,” he said.

More than 300 pregnant and lactating women in Chibiri and Gaube communities in Kuje, Abuja have received free HIV counseling and testing services at Mother’s-Love Parties organized by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN).

Mothers-Love Party, which is an IHVN initiative, is a gathering for women and children in communities to sensitize women on care for their babies, personal and environmental hygiene, the importance of immunization and registration, and antenatal care. In such parties, IHVN also provides mother-care packs for women with items such as sanitary pads, gloves, and cotton wool, amongst others.

IHVN Senior Program Officer, Mrs. Helen Mutong said “By organizing Mothers-Love Parties, IHVN aims to increase awareness, enhance access to services, and ultimately reduce the transmission of HIV from mother to child. This strategic approach ensures that all pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and pediatric patients receive the necessary support and care for a healthy outcome in line with the overall Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) strategy.”

During the mother’s love parties in Kuje, free malaria, hepatitis B, and syphilis tests were also provided for attendees, including children between the ages of 1-14 years.

Mrs. Mutong added “we have seen that some pregnant women do not go to the hospital to access care, so we are bringing care to them. Most of the women would rather have their children through Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs). We work with the TBA to ensure safe deliveries and referral to the nearest health facility.”

Other strategies being adopted to reach women in communities include collaboration with religious leaders to create awareness about the need for HIV testing especially for pregnant women.

One of the pregnant women who got tested, Mrs. Ona, (pseudonym) expressed her joy at the initiative. “Most times, we do not have transport to go to the hospital and when we go, they give us a list of things to buy so we just decide to have our baby at home, but today, IHVN has shared these packs that have everything we need for delivery, so I am very happy,” she said.

To strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for multiple disease testing and surveillance, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has donated a Droplet Digital PCR machine to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).

The machine, which is the first of its kind in the country, is equipped to generate over 20,000 small droplets for multiple disease testing and carry out surveillance using wastewater as well as other sources to provide insight into disease hot spots. The equipment from Bio-Rad can also be used in addressing exciting biological research questions.

IHVN Senior Program Officer, Dr, Monday Tola, who handed over the equipment to NCDC, at the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja, said that diseases including monkey-pox and COVID-19 can be diagnosed using the machine.

“The machine can test 20,000-minute droplets so you won’t miss anything in the laboratory test and it can test multiple diseases at a go,”

NCDC Head of Reference Laboratory, Dr. James Avong, said “This equipment is a new technology that will help in environment and human survey; effluents can be gotten from waste and can be analyzed. By using the machine, we will be able to identify the different strains of COVID through waste. Also, when there is also an outbreak of any new disease, this equipment will enable us to detect it fast. For us at NCDC it is a breakthrough to have this equipment, we are going to utilize it as much as possible in surveillance and prompt response to diseases.”

After the installation of the equipment by LASEC, more than 20 laboratory engineers and technicians from APIN Global Health Initiatives, NCDC, and IHVN received a two-day training on its use. The training featured practical sessions on utilizing the machine.

The PCR machine was bought with funding support from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).