The Kaduna State Government is deploying improved testing capacity as part of its strategy for the safe reopening of the state. This is in addition to other public health measures. This includes the ongoing FORWARD campaign of the state government which encourages personal responsibility by citizens as the most sustainable Covid-19 prevention strategy.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai stated this while formally receiving Wellness-on-Wheels, a mobile testing vehicle deployed by USAID to support the state’s Covid-19 containment efforts. He disclosed that the mobile testing vehicle is already helping to improve the state’s capacity for testing in communities. The governor expressed gratitude to USAID and KNCV for availing the state government use of the vehicle at this critical time.
Malam El-Rufai disclosed that Kaduna State has already imported 9,800 Covid-19 test kits for the GeneXpert machine, the type installed in the mobile testing vehicle. He explained that the state is seeking to acquire 40,000 more test kits to meet is target of 50,000 tests.
The governor added that KDSG already has eight GeneXpert machines in its facilities. The state is making efforts to further expand testing capacity by providing one GeneXpert machine in every LGA with complementary equipment such as Level 2 biosafety cabinet, sample refrigerators and reagent refrigerators. He assured
Malam El-Rufai stated that the expanded testing capacity is complementing the efforts of the Kaduna State Government to safely reopen the state. He noted that more businesses are opening in compliance with safety protocols while people in the informal sector are continuing their pursuit of livelihoods.
This significant easing of the lockdown has made less pressing the need for palliatives for citizens that the lockdown had rendered unable to pursue livelihoods. With this development, the state government has decided that it does not require further donations by public servants, effective June 2020.
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