Commissioning a New Laboratory in Plateau

March 2004 - Dancers clad in red cloth headdresses and musicians strumming traditional instruments joined a host of dignitaries in celebrating the commissioning of the Plateau State Human Virology Research Centre in March.

Until recently, the West African International Collaboration for Scientific Culture World Laboratory had been the only laboratory providing HIV confirmatory tests in the country's north-central region. With infection rates skyrocketing, though, the need to improve the laboratory's capabilities had grown critical. So APIN teamed up with the Institute of Human Virology (IHV) at the University of Maryland and the Plateau State Government to establish the new center, based at Plateau State Specialist Hospital.

Known as PLASVIREC, the center now conducts HIV epidemiology and surveillance, monitors HIV subtypes in Plateau State and the rest of the country, treats people living with HIV/AIDS, supports those affected by the epidemic, and offers intervention and treatment programs to reduce the disease burden and disrupt the chain of transmission of HIV.

"PLASVIREC is a real success story," says Dr. Prosper Okonkwo, project manager of APIN•s field office in Ibadan. "It represents foresight, resourcefulness, political commitment, and a sustainable partnership among government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the academic community."

The commissioning program opened with a well-attended symposium, whose key speakers included Professor William Blattner, director of the IHV Division of Epidemiology and Prevention; Professor Robert Redfield, director of the IHV Clinical Research and Care Division; and Dr. Alashíle Abimiku, an assistant professor at IHV.

The governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Dariye, performed the commissioning ceremony. Attendees including the deputy governor; state commissioners, including the health commissioner, Dr. Patrick Dakum, who served as chief host; and permanent secretaries. Dr. Abdulsalami Nasidi represented the minister of health, Professor Eyitayo Lambo. Other dignitaries included Dr. Daniel Iya, the chief medical director of Jos University Teaching Hospital; a representative of the chief of Army staff; General Alexander Ogomudia, the commander of the Air Force base in Jos; the delegation from IHV; and several APIN representatives, Drs. Okonkwo, Jean-Louis Sankalé, and Oluwole Odutolu. Traditional and religious leaders, as well as people living with HIV/AIDS, were also well represented.

"The commissioning ceremony was a dynamic beginning," says Dr. Okonkwo, "and we hope that PLASVIREC will play a central role in helping to stem the epidemic in Plateau State in particular and Nigeria in general."