FPCC Support Fund

Dear ,

Happy Independence Day!As we celebrate Nigeria's diamond jubilee, we are excited to share the following important updates including a pioneering research fully funded by the FATE Philanthropy Coalition for COVID-19 Support Fund.

Adenike Adeyemi, FPCC Support Fund with Prof. Tunde Salako, DG, NIMR, Dr. Chika Onwuamah, Research Team Lead and other key NIMA officials at the launch of the SARS-CoV-2 Isothermal Molecular Assay (SIMA) 

COVID-19 Test Kit Launch: We are pleased to announce the launch of the first of its kind  SARS-CoV-2 Isothermal Molecular Assay (SIMA) developed by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and fully funded by the  FPCC Support Fund.On the 18th of September 2020, NIMR unveiled a Point-of-Care molecular test kit that can detect COVID-19 in real-time for less than 40 minutes, compared to at least 2 hours that it takes the current testing protocols. The SIMA will ease the challenges posed by the current method which requires very heavy laboratory and expensive equipment to function. Also, low-skilled personnel can be trained to perform this assay in tertiary health facilities where it can be used to diagnose COVID-19 in hospitalized patients.  This pioneering research work led by some our nation’s leading public health researchers at NIMR exemplifies the potentials of  health innovation in Nigeria when effectively supported and enabled. The Ministry of Health has been briefed on the SIMA and we will keep you updated on SIMA’s validation by the relevant local and international laboratories. 

Walk-in/Drive-In COVID-19 Testing Facility at LUTH: In partnership with LifeBank, the FPCC Support Fund has enabled the setup of a  COVID-19 Walk-In/Drive-In Free Testing Facility at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in partnership with LifeBank. The center designed by LifeBank and managed by the LUTH Isolation Center team enables free testing for suspected COVID-19 patients.Now fully operational, the testing center has a technology platform built  to ensure effective management of testing requests and screening activities.  Registration to get tested can be accessed via luth.covid.com.ng. 

Donation of 50 Contactless Handwashing Device to the Lagos State Government: The FPCC Support Fund has donated 50 contactless handwashing device  to the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Office of SDGs & Investments and Local Government Areas. The devices designed and fabricated  by Ahmed Ayinla, an innovative young entrepreneur who recently completed the National Youth Service and graduated from the FATE Foundation Aspiring Entrepreneurs Programme will be placed in public spaces such as schools, health centers across different local government areas in Lagos.

For more details on all the projects supported by the FPCC to date and progress made so far, please visit the FPCC Support Fund webpage.

We remain committed to supporting ongoing efforts to capacitate key public health institutions and frontline personnel and we appreciate your support to date in enabling our mission. Thank you very much for enabling our work to date. Please send any requests and/or enquiries to [email protected]

For: The FPCC Support Fund

Adenike Adeyemi

Executive Director, FATE Foundation