GUIDELINES FOR PRIVATE MEDICAL LABORATORIES PROVIDING COVID-19 TESTING THROUGH PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS
Guideline · Health
Guidelines regulate private laboratories for COVID-19 testing outside government programs. They target private labs, scientists, and healthcare institutions. This expands testing while ensuring accurate results and proper reporting.
GUIDELINES FOR PRIVATE MEDICAL LABORATORIES PROVIDING COVID-19 TESTING THROUGH PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS
What Is This Policy?
Guidelines regulating the conditions under which private medical laboratories may conduct COVID-19 PCR or antigen testing independently of the government-coordinated testing programme.
Who Does It Target?
Private diagnostic and medical laboratories Pathologists and laboratory scientists Healthcare institutions with on-site laboratories NCDC as regulator of testing
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Expand COVID-19 testing capacity by bringing private laboratories online while ensuring quality, accuracy, and proper reporting of test results.
Key Features
Accreditation Requirement: Private labs must obtain accreditation from MLSCN (Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria) and approval from NCDC. Quality Standards: Prescribes minimum biosafety, equipment, and personnel standards for conducting COVID-19 testing. Mandatory Reporting: Requires all positive results to be reported to the NCDC and state epidemiologists within 24 hours. Pricing Regulation: Caps test prices for COVID-19 tests conducted by private laboratories.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Implemented during the pandemic; framework remains for future outbreak use Coverage: Nationwide - private laboratories in all states Beneficiaries: COVID-19 testing seekers; public health surveillance system Funding: Private sector investment; patient test fees
How to Access
Labs must apply to NCDC and MLSCN for testing approval Maintain biosafety level 2 or higher facilities Ensure trained laboratory scientists are on staff Application method: Apply to the NCDC and MLSCN jointly for private laboratory testing approval.
Important Terms
Conducting COVID-19 tests without approval is a regulatory violation All positive results must be reported immediately Price caps apply and cannot be exceeded
Official Resources
Website: https://www.ncdc.gov.ng Contact: Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) / MLSCN
Legal Framework
Issued under the regulatory powers of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) pursuant to the NCDC Act 2018 and the NAFDAC Act. Operates alongside the National Health Act 2014, the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) Act. Aligns with WHO COVID-19 laboratory testing guidelines.