We respond to local needs and provide underserved communities with tools to lead healthier lives through the integration of information, technology, and operations. This strategic advantage allows us to build and operate specialized laboratory networks in West Africa.

In collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), we constructed a lab at the eHealth Africa campus in Kano State. The goal is to provide complex diagnostic services to enhance healthcare in Northern Nigeria. 
 
The lab is comprised of shipping containers and includes a proper waste disposal system, constant water and power supply, and regular facility maintenance.  The 23.85 meter by 7.5 meter space is designed with two floors. The ground floor holds a reception area, three office spaces, a lobby, storage area, restrooms, a data office, a freezer storage room, and the main lab area. Meanwhile, the second floor is outfitted with office space, meeting rooms and storage for further use of the lab and research teams.
 
The lab currently serves as the private research lab for the International Foundation Against Infectious Disease in Nigeria (IFAIN). eHealth Africa provides the structure as well as the data systems, lab software, and operational expertise.

Our team of highly qualified engineers, field staff, and project managers bring international best practices to ensure that every project’s process and operations are smooth, integrated and functional. 

The Sokoto Laboratory was designed to serve as a first point of testing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples collected from suspected meningitis patients, in order to provide a conclusive diagnosis which will lead to proper treatment.

The laboratory is housed in a 40ft shipping container allowing for mobility to locations with an active outbreak and diagnostic need. eHA constructed the Biosafety Level 2 laboratory and manages its operations in partnership with the Sokoto State Ministry of Health and the International Foundation Against Infectious Diseases in Nigeria (IFAIN).

The laboratory tests and processes cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples from the Sokoto- Kebbi- Zamfara tristate area. Learn more about the mobile lab here.

Here is a list of equipment currently available at the labs:

• Bactec Machine

• Incubator

• Autoclave

• -20°C Freezer

• -86°C Freezer

• Centrifuge

• Laminar flow cabinet

• Biosafety cabinet

• Hemechip (an investigational device used for the Sickle Cell Pilot study)

• Vortex machine

• Microscope

• pH meter

• Oven

• Refrigerator (0C)

• Incinerator

• Water distiller

The following software applications are installed at the labs and serve to enhance the workflow within the facilities as follows:

• Odoo: This is an inventory management system

• BIKA: Used for Laboratory Information Management (workflow and result management)

• FreezerPro: This software is used for sample storage management

• RedCap: A secure and HIPAA compliant system for data entry, storage and result management

Currently, operations in the lab consist of research activities in collaboration with UNMC and IFAIN at the Kano facility. Two research-related activities are underway:

• Induced Sputum Project: diagnosis of causative agent of pneumonia in pediatrics

• HemeChip Pilot Study: Electrophoretic technique for rapid diagnosis of genotype

Both labs can support various diagnostic tests  including: