KOICA Supports COVID-19 'Walk-Through Diagnostic Booth' in Nigeria

Expectations for Faster COVID-19 Diagnosis and Response through Efficient Specimen Collection

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) announced on the 24th (local time) that it held a donation ceremony for COVID-19 walk-through diagnostic booths at the National Reference Laboratory under the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.

This event was carried out as part of the government-led 'ODA KOREA: Building TRUST' initiative for development cooperation towards a safer world together, and was implemented according to KOICA's ABC program.

Attendees from Korea included Jang Woo-chan, head of KOICA Nigeria office, and from Nigeria, Minister of Health Adeleke Mamora and Director of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Chikwe Ihekweazu participated.

Since the first confirmed COVID-19 case in mid-March, Nigeria has recorded a cumulative total of approximately 57,000 confirmed cases, ranking fifth highest in Africa.

KOICA supported the Nigerian government's COVID-19 response capacity by providing a total of three walk-through diagnostic booths worth about $17,000; one was deployed in Abuja, the capital, and two in Lagos, the former capital and economic hub. Currently, over 40% of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria reside in Lagos.

This diagnostic booth support is expected to enable efficient specimen collection from suspected COVID-19 patients, accelerating diagnosis speed and revitalizing Nigeria's currently stagnant COVID-19 response.

Jang Woo-chan, head of KOICA Nigeria office, said, "With this COVID-19 walk-through diagnostic booth support, rapid specimen collection and protection of healthcare workers will be possible," adding, "We will continue to spare no effort in supporting the Nigerian government's effective COVID-19 response."

Minister of Health Adeleke Mamora expressed gratitude, saying, "This diagnostic booth support is a unique form of assistance that differentiates Korea from other countries," and added, "The use of advanced technology in Korea's response was impressive, and we hope related support will continue."