Lagos denies collection of charges for coronavirus tests

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has said COVID19 tests in all approved testing centres in Lagos State were carried out free of charge.

Abayomi, who stated this on Thursday while reacting to an online report which alleged that patients pay N30,000 for COVID19 test at Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) approved Centers in Lagos, noted that no designated testing centre in the State is allowed to collect money for the COVID19 tests.

The Commissioner said, “I want to state unequivocally that there is no designated COVID19 testing centre in Lagos that collects or is allowed to collect money for COVID19 test. Tests at the designated testing centres are free of charge”.

Abayomi added that the State Ministry of Health is not aware of any health worker at any of the testing centres that collects money for the COVID19 test. He cautioned residents to be weary of misleading reports targeted at discrediting frontline health workers who are working extremely hard to ensure that COVID-19 is contained.

“I want to assure the public that activities at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba and other approved centers for COVID19 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 COVID19 tests at any of our designated testing centres”, Abayomi stated.

He said that 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.

“Please be assured that the Lagos State Government will discipline any health worker or personnel who indulge in such illegal activities,” the Commissioner said.