By Kemi Olatunde

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In a bid to improve laboratory quality for HIV/AIDS and RTRI testing in Ondo State and South/west Nigeria, APIN Public Health Initiatives, with the State Ministry of Health’s QA team led by MLS Adedotun-Banjo Bamitale has produced 27 HIV and RTRI testing panels and Dried Tube Specimens.

Speaking at the opening of the five-day event at the Ondo State Public Health Laboratory in Alagbaka, Akure,  representative of the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary and Director of Laboratory Services, Mrs Adedotun-Banjo Bamitale, noted that the tools were designed to support the external assessment of HIV Testing Services Providers in demonstrating proficiency in HIV testing.

According to her, they would facilitate weekly internal quality monitoring of HIV Rapid Test Kits (RTKs) to ensure accurate HIV and recency test results.

She described the process as a critical step in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the state’s HIV testing services, which, according to her, supports the state’s mission of providing qualitative healthcare and strengthening the HIV/AIDS response.

She stated that the initiative encompasses 32 APIN-supported health facilities, including One-Stop Shop facilities, as well as 40 and 27 RTRI testing health facilities in Oyo and Ogun States respectively. The production exercise took place from August 12 to 16, 2024 at the Ondo State Public Health Laboratory in Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State.

She expressed appreciation to participants for their dedication, calling for more commitment from team members.

The Head of APIN Ondo office, Dr Folake Adurogbola, appreciated the state’s efforts and collaboration in enhancing the quality of HIV testing services in the state and Southwest at large, saying, “Your dedication is crucial in breaking the chain of HIV transmission and achieving epidemic control.”