Lagos State government (LASG) has said tests for COVID-19 are free of charge in all designated screening centres across the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi disclosed this on Thursday while reacting to an online report which alleged that COVID-19 patients are required to pay the sum of N30,000 for tests at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) approved centres in Lagos.
He reiterated that no designated testing centre is allowed to collect money for the COVID-19 tests in the State, adding that the Ministry of Health is not aware of any health worker at any testing centres that demand for money to carry out COVID-19 test.
He said, “I want to state unequivocally that there is no designated COVID-19 testing centre in Lagos that collects or is allowed to collect money for COVID-19 test. Tests at the designated testing centres are free of charge.”
He, however, advised residents in the State to be wary of misleading reports targeted at discrediting frontline health workers who work tirelessly to ensure that COVID-19 is contained.
“I want to assure the public that activities at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba and other approved centres for COVID-19 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 COVID-19 tests at any of our designated testing centres. However, 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,” Abayomi stated.