Business
‘Modular Labs, Boost To Economy, Health Care’
A former Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, Dr. Tamunoiyoriari Sampson Parker, says the establishment of Molecular Laboratories in the Country would not only improve the economy of Nigeria, but also build confidence and improve the country’s health-care delivery system.
Dr. Parker, who stated this recently in Port Harcourt while signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Drug Discovery World (DDW) Molecular Laboratories, and INQABA Biotech West Africa, said the increase in modular laboratories can only enhance growth in Nigeria’s economic status.
Expressing delight over the growth of molecular diagnosis in the Country, Parker said metagenomics for environmental analysis, soil analysis and so many other things, which Nigerians spend money to do abroad, are now available in Port Harcourt.
“You remember just a few years back while I was Commissioner for Health, the whole country had only about 2 or 3 molecular diagnostic centres. But today, there are quite a lot. We are counting almost about 84 in Nigeria and quite a couple of them are into Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) sequencing.
“This will keep our money in Nigeria and will also help our economy. This improvement will build confidence in our health care sector, encouraging brain gain that would result in direct foreign investment. I am very happy with our partners, INQABA Biotech West Africa”, he said.
The former Health Commissioner, who is the Chief Executive Officer of DDW Molecular Laboratories, said DDW was going into partnership with INQABA Biotech West Africa to carry out DNA sequencing, paternal and maternal dispute settlement of DNA analysis, and DNA fragmentation.
In his remarks, the Regional Sales Manager of INQABA Biotech West Africa, Urom Uchenna, said his company brought development to Africa through genomics, which is the science of genes and life services.
According to him, they were collaborating in two fronts: metagenomics and genetic testing, stressing that with this environmental impact analysis that are done for oil companies, “we will move away from the general microbiology method.
“The microbiology method cannot culture every organism because some organisms cannot be cultured.
“You cannot really estimate the total number of organisms in a particular environment or the total losses that they have suffered.
“With metagenomics, however, you can estimate all you have lost as a result of oil exploration or activities. This also helps to guide our Bioremediation efforts across the Niger Delta”, Uchenna said.
By: Lilian Peters
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
