The Navrongo Health Research Centre is set to commence testing of samples for the novel coronavirus.
This was disclosed by the Upper East Regional Director of Health Services Dr. Winfred Ofosu in an interview with newsmen in Bolgatanga on Thursday.
“We have come a long way. Though we had the various equipment, one of the things that delayed us was the installation kits which the health research centre had to order from outside. The good news is that everything has been installed now,” he mentioned.
Samples of suspected COVID-19 patients have always been transported to Kumasi and Tamale for testing, a situation the health authorities say affects turnaround time of results and affects patients management due to the delay.
The region has had to grapple with long waits for results over the time which has always been mentioned in situational reports of the COVID-19 management team in the region as a setback to the fight against the virus in the region.
Dr. Winfred Ofosu disclosed that all is set for the health research centre in Navrongo to begin running test for the coronavirus in the next two weeks.
“Everything is in order. What is left is for us to have the Head of testing laboratory to come and look through to certify that everything as setup is okay then we will receive our regents and the start testing,” he assured.
The internationalization of the COVID-19 testing centre will significantly improve case management and drastically improve turnaround time with results expected to be received within 24 to 48 hours.
The centre will serve the north east region and parts of the Upper West region.
