By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
The management of 54gene has expressed optimism that 7RiverLab (7RL) will ensure that Africans receive advanced, accessible and affordable laboratory testing that will improve their healthcare outcome.
7RiverLab, a diagnostic subsidiary of 54gene, was launched in Lagos on Tuesday, 14th December 2021.
In his address on the occasion of the launching, Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 54gene, said: “Today, we are excited to announce the launch of 7RiverLab as a diagnostic subsidiary of 54gene.
“With the range of tests 7RiverLab offers, millions of Africans can begin to take better control of their health.
“Our goal is to ensure every African has access to advanced laboratory test without having to pay an exhorbitant out of pocket cost.
“With the launch of 7RiverLab we can start precision medicine diagnostics in Africa led by Nigeria.”
Ene-Obong described his organization as the home of precision medicine and precision diagnostics in Africa.
He said that everyday in Nigeria and around the African continent patients walk into healthcare centres where they seek treatment for one ailment or the other, but many times the patients walk out of the healthcare facilities disappointed.
“They are disappointed that the healthcare provider or the local technology lacks the healthcare technology to take care of their illness,” the chief executive officer of 54gene explained.
He pointed out that medical tests conducted abroad cost higher, making them unaffordable. Ene-Obong noted that in addition there is a long waiting time for lab tests carried out abroad to arrive.
Ene-Obong declared: “Everything we have done is with passion to see African patients obtain the world-class precision medicine no matter where they are in the continent. Our passion is powered by understanding.”
In order to give credence to their claim of having the latest and the best state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and tools, journalists were led by 7RL authorities on a facility tour of the laboratory located in Lekki, Lagos State.
The journalists where shown some equipment, such as telepathology machine and immunohistochemistry tools which are used in diagnosing diseases such as cancer, and others, some of which the news reporters were told are the first of their kind in Nigeria and Africa.
The 7RiverLab launching was attended by Mr. Jude Uzonwanne who is the Chief Business Officer of 54gene and Michelle Ephraim, the Vice President, Diagnostics, Pan-Africa, 54gene.
54gene is a health technology company that is advancing African genomics research for improved global health outcome.
