By IJEOMA UKAZU
The healthier the citizens of a country, the more effective the workforce; the better the health of their children and entire household.
Achieving quality health care services for individuals and populations would increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes.
Most avoidable deaths in Nigeria are because of patient’s misdiagnosis, waiting time and management of conditions.
Health experts proffered that to tackle the deplorable state of Nigeria’s health care system, there is need to deploy the use of sophisticated medical equipment.
To this end, 54gene, a health technology company delivering on the promise of precision medicine for Nigerians, Africans and the global population, by bridging the disparity gap in genomics data has launched a diagnostic arm, 7RiverLabs targeted to boost health outcomes in Nigeria and across Africa.
The diagnostic hubs fitted with state-of-the-art technology will offer healthcare providers and patients access to world-class, cost-effective, speedy, reliable and advanced molecular diagnostics.
Speaking during the launch in Lagos recently, the 54gene Vice President Diagnostic, Pan Africa, Michelle Ephraim says with 7RiverLabs, Nigerians and indeed Africans would have positive health outcomes and ultimately a chance at a better quality of life, stating that, “Because together we as Africans are better if we chart a common goal.”
She added, “I would like to say just like the seven rivers that are the lifeline of the 54 countries in Africa, 7RiverLabs is the bloodline for precision diagnostics that will help to improve the quality of health for all of us Africans. This we will do by leveraging on advanced technologies and not compromising the integrity of the samples and the accuracy of the results. This we will do at affordable prices and improve turnaround time.
“I was astounded to hear high number of babies in Nigeria die every year from congenital disorders and neonatal deaths. This is unreal and we want to curb this and help mothers, parents, siblings better understand disorders and infections so that they can have a better quality of life.”
According to the World Health Organization, WHO, an estimated 295, 000 newborns die within 28 days of birth every year, worldwide, due to congenital anomalies. Congenital anomalies can contribute to long-term disability, which may have significant impacts on individuals, families, health-care systems, and societies.
The world health agency further said that most common, severe congenital anomalies are heart defects, neural tube defects and Down syndrome. Although congenital anomalies may be the result of one or more genetic, infectious, nutritional or environmental factors, it is often difficult to identify the exact causes. Some congenital anomalies can be prevented.
In his words, Founder and CEO 54gene, Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong commented that, “Launching 7RiverLabs is a manifestation of one of the goals 54gene set out to achieve two years ago – to improve diagnostic and treatment outcomes on the continent by leveraging advances in the precision medicine space. With the range of tests 7RiverLabs offers, millions of Africans can begin to take greater control of their health. The creation of this new subsidiary also allows 54gene to continue its important work of understanding human genetic diversity and translating genetics-driven insights and discoveries to serve the global good.”
Ene-Obong pointed out that “Every day, patients walk into health centers seeking treatment for one illness or the other. They walk in believing that their health challenge no matter how dire would be treated but are disappointed because their healthcare provider or local laboratory lacks the latest technology to detect illness or got disappointed because their medical tests are conducted abroad at high costs within their own affordability. All these are what the 7RiverLabs intend to curb.”
Also speaking, the new subsidiary’s interim-CEO, Jude Uzonwanne says, “Our goal with this new subsidiary is to ensure that every African has access to advanced laboratory tests without having to pay an exorbitant out-of-pocket fee. Patients will receive speedy results that will guide their physicians in reducing late diagnoses leading to poor chances of survival, improve their treatment options and ultimately their quality of life.”
Uzonwanne added that 7RiverLabs is complementing government and industry efforts to attain the Nigerian Ministry of Health’s mandate towards improved care for the general population, stating that hundreds of molecular tests will be made available for millions of people at a fraction of the cost of transporting samples overseas thereby helping to increase early disease-detection and screening rates and save lives.
He said, this is groundbreaking news for Nigeria; and as we forge trusted partnerships with leading health insurers, hospitals and healthcare professionals, we anticipate that hundreds more jobs will be created in our expansion of services across Africa.
The facility has physical locations with over 100 employees already open in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, with additional centres due to launch in 10 additional key Nigerian cities in the coming months. Pan-African expansion for 7RiverLabs is also on course for 2022 with new countries being launched from quater one of 2022.