On September 22, The International Center for the AIDS Care and Treatment Programs (ICAP) inaugurated two renovated laboratories located in “Hôpital General de Reference de Ndjili (HGR Ndjili)” and “Centre Mère et Enfant de Ngaba (CME Ngaba)”. In addition to the renovation, laboratory and computer equipment were donated and medical staff were trained in the efficient use and maintenance of this equipment. ICAP achieved this renovation with the U.S Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) support through PEPFAR funding.
According to the Director of ICAP Dr Faustin Malele, the cost is evaluated at 19,672$ US for CME Ngaba, 22,830$ US for HGR Ndjili, 20,000$ US for the care and treatment room in HGR Ndjili and 118,248$ US for equipment per laboratory (which means 236,496 for equipment in the two laboratories). “Providing the latest equipment that meets international standards and training medical personnel on how to use them will allow to increase the number of daily examinations and to provide more reliable results”, he added.
CDC country Director Dr. Kassim Sidibé recalled the importance of laboratories in the fight against HIV/Aids as an essential component of supporting people with HIV. He underscored “With our partner ICAP, and in consultation with the government of DRC, an assessment carried out in Kinshasa in 2011 identified 6 laboratories on which ICAP could rely in the fight against HIV/Aids. This assessment highlighted the need to renovate some labs.”
The inauguration of these laboratories marks the continued commitment of the U.S government in the fight against various diseases affecting Africa including HIV.
