The Jamaica Government is spending $10 million to upgrade and improve the Virology Laboratory at the University of the West Indies (UWI) to ensure that testing for the Zika Virus (ZIKV) can be conducted locally.

This was disclosed by Minister of Health, Horace Dalley, during yesterday’s Jamaica House press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston.

“The biggest challenge we have is that there is no lab in Jamaica right now that has the capacity or is accredited or certified to test for Zika. We will be investing in the university’s Virology Lab to ensure that they have the capacity,” Dalley is quoted as saying in a report by the Jamaica Observer.

Dalley said the upgrading of the lab should be completed within the next three to four weeks and added that the necessary equipment has already been ordered and the staffing at the laboratory will be expanded.

Taiwan National Day Celebration

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here