Skyy News have gathered that samples at the Effia Nkwanta Reference Laboratory are at risk of getting contaminated. Already, some samples have gone bad and been disposed, a source has disclosed.
It further indicated that the storage facility at the reference lab is currently overwhelmed, and could no longer receive samples from the various districts in the Western Region and other parts of the country.
This unfortunate development results from a rather dire situation at the Veterinary Service Department in Takoradi; the only testing center in the region. The Testing Lab has for the past weeks been unable to run tests on samples due to the unavailability of reagents and other logistics.
Consequently, a directive have been given to the various districts to store samples collected until the situation improves.
A latest report from the Regional Health Directorate indicates that a total of 4,092 samples are pending testing.
Deputy Director for Health in charge of Public Health, Dr. Kofi Asemanyi Mensah says, the region have had to revert to transporting samples to the Accra for testing.