Gov’t threatens to shutdown private COVID-19 labs

JUBA – Health Authorities in South Sudan are threatening to shut down COVID-19 private laboratories over what it described as “incredible information”.

In December 2020, the National Taskforce on Coronavirus permitted Mid-Blue, private entity to conduct testing of COVID-19 mainly for travelers.

In January 202, it allowed Nujum Diagnostics located at Hai Referendum, Keane’s Laboratories, Nimra Talata for testing travelers worth 50 dollars or its SSP equivalent for tests and up to 100 dollars or its equivalent for foreign nationals.

Speaking to reporters during COVID-19 weekly media briefing yesterday in Juba, Dr. Angelo Goup Thon, Director for Emergency Preparedness at South Sudan Ministry of Health said some of those private laboratories have been providing incredible date that confuse the public.

“It happened that one of the private laboratories has 400 plus positives cases without details since it started testing for COVID-19,” Goup told reporters in Juba.

Dr. Goup said they have given last warning for the private laboratories to adjust on submitting accurate date on time with full details.

“We have given them last chance up to Monday to make sure that they submit all details to the Ministry of Health or otherwise, we will give our recommendation to National Taskforce to close them down,” Thon warned.

Dr. Thon said they have accredited those private laboratories to sharing of accurate information with emergency operation centers to help curb the spread of the virus.

“If you are not qualified to share data with the Ministry of Health, and emergency operation center then you are not illegible to do the testing,” he said.