LAGOS State government (LASG) has said tests for COVID-19 are free of charge in all designated screening centres across the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi disclosed this on Thursday while reacting to an online report which alleged that COVID-19 patients are required to pay the sum of N30,000 for tests at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) approved centres in Lagos.
He reiterated that no designated testing centre is allowed to collect money for the COVID-19 tests in the State, adding that the Ministry of Health is not aware of any health worker at any testing centres that demand for money to carry out COVID-19 test.
He said, “I want to state unequivocally that there is no designated COVID-19 testing centre in Lagos that collects or is allowed to collect money for COVID-19 test. Tests at the designated testing centres are free of charge.”
He, however, advised residents in the State to be wary of misleading reports targeted at discrediting frontline health workers who work tirelessly to ensure that COVID-19 is contained.
“I want to assure the public that activities at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba and other approved centres for COVID-19 screening are effectively monitored in accordance with the strict guidelines of the Lagos State COVID-19 Response under which no fees are collected for the tests.
“Furthermore, we urge Lagos State residents to call 08000CORONA to report any health worker and or anyone who demands and or requests fees to conduct COVID-19 tests at any of our designated testing centres. However, any health worker or personnel who indulge in any illegal activities will be sanctioned in line with extant provision of the law and rules guiding their duties,” Abayomi stated.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Buy and read digital replicas of your TRIBUNE titles by subscribing through E-VENDING
Anal Sex Predisposes To Cancer, HIV Infection, Others —Experts
Anal sex has been described as a prevalent practice, which consistently occurs between young couples and adolescents. According to the Centre for Disease Control “anal sex is primarily growing in popularity with couples under age 45.” Also, a national survey reportedly revealed that 36 per cent of women and 44 per cent of… Read full story
Coronavirus Could Be Spreading Through Farts, Says Doctor • Experts still in doubts
An Australian doctor has said that farting could spread coronavirus especially if it comes from a patient who has been tested positive of the pandemic, TheSun reports… Read full story
COVID-19: Gbajabiamila Leading A Divided House —Gbillah
A former deputy chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) in the eighth National Assembly and a two-term member of the House, Honourable Mark Gbillah, in this by KEHINDE AKINTOLA, speaks on the leadership style of Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, among other issues… Read full story
Covid-19: NPA Defines Port Charges Waiver, Issues Terms And Conditions
FOLLOWING the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic and outcry by clearing agents that terminal operators are refusing to comply with demurrage and storage waivers as directed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the NPA in a second letter to the terminal operators, have defined the terms of reference as regards which port charges should be waived.
EDITORIAL: NNPC Boss On Refineries
LAST week, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, declared that the corporation would soon relieve itself of the responsibility of managing the country’s refineries after the ongoing rehabilitation. According to the NNPC boss, the four refineries… Read full story
The Role Of Traditional Rulers – Sanusi The Genius: A Case Study (4)
IN the last few weeks, I have discussed how the British colonial Masters gradually increased their control and influence over what was later called Southern Protectorate and Northern protectorate by assaulting and destroying our traditional heritage. One of the strategies was the dethronement and banishing of… Read full story
Coronavirus Fallout Affects Family Planning, Women’s Health Rights
The global epidemic of COVID-19 is wreaking havoc on a wide array of health, economic, social and personal decisions. With many cities on lockdown and businesses and schools shutting their doors, the COVID-19 virus is dramatically changing everyday life for people across the country, including those seeking… Read full story
Of Improved Medical Care, Palliatives
OBVIOUSLY, Covid-19 pandemic will change the way the world does things. One can only hope Nigeria is not left behind in the mantra of catering for citizens beyond what successive governments had rendered in terms of prompt response to emergency situations and distribution of relief materials when it matters most… Read full story
Coronavirus: What Heart Patients Need To Know?
People with heart disease and other underlying health conditions are at high risk of becoming seriously ill if they develop COVID-19. Now, experts warn that COVID-19 could even worsen an underlying heart conditions… Read full story
COVID-19: Use Only Herbs Approved By NAFDAC, Virologists Warn
A virologist, Professor Sunday Omilabu, has said that although lots of local herbs are promising for treating COVID-19, Nigerians should still be cautious to take only local herbs and herbal products licensed by National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control… Read full story
Are Finger Condoms Beneficial?
Finger condoms or cots are medical devices used to cover one or more fingers in situations where a full glove seems unnecessary. Like medical and rubber gloves, finger cots may be made from a variety of water-tight materials, including latex, nitrile rubber, and vinyl… Read full story
Are The Detained Caverton Pilots Victims Of Power Tussle?
LIKE joke, like joke, the two pilots of Caverton Helicopters have continued to be detained no thanks to the controversial order issued to effect their arrest and detention by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike… Read full story
and then