17th Jan 2020 11:11
(Alliance News) - Omega Diagnostics Group PLC said Friday it has received approval from the Nigerian Ministry of Health for its VISITECT CD4 350 test for monitoring people living with HIV.
This form of HIV test determines whether a patient has a CD4 count above or below 350 cells per cubic millimetre of blood. CD4 cells are a type of white blood cell and form a key part of the immune system.
A CD4 count over 500 usually suggests good health in HIV patients, while a count below 200 indicates a weakened immune system.
The medical diagnostics company said the test evaluation took place in six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, coordinated by the National AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections Control Programme.
Following the evaluation, it was recommended to the Ministry of Health that the test be adopted into the National HIV Control Programme "as a rapid and instrument-free test device that provides actionable results at the point of care."
Omega Diagnostics said the approval means that the test is the first rapid and instrument-free CD4 test to be implemented throughout Nigeria in the care of people living with HIV.
At the beginning of December, the company had received an order for VISITECT CD4 350 test from Nigeria.
The order was for the 200,000 tests, with 50,000 to be conducted in January, another 50,000 in February and 100,000 in March.
Omega Diagnostics had said t he order was in addition to the first purchase order for 50,000 tests in August.
Both orders were conditional on the Nigerian Ministry of Health approving the VISITECT CD4 350 test into its national HIV policy.
The company said it will now look to firm up a delivery schedule to determine what proportion of this demand can be shipped prior to the end of the financial year in March 31.
Colin King, chief executive officer, said: "I am pleased that our test has been approved for use in Nigeria which was one of our key strategic aims and allows out unique point-of-care test to make a real difference to people living with HIV in Nigeria."
Omega Diagnostic shares were up 10% in London at 16.25 pence each on Friday.
By Loreta Juodagalvyte; [email protected]
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