Medical Laboratory Services – Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu

The Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu (FNHE) is a leading specialized healthcare institution in the provision of mental healthcare services in Nigeria. As a critical component of the hospital, the laboratory plays a vital role in supporting the diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental health disorders.

This article highlights the goals and activities of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu Laboratory innovations, and its myriad state-of-the-art equipments and processes.

The department of Medical Laboratory, FNHE offers various clinical testing services typically aimed at aiding in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention of diseases, research and development. It is a fully equipped medical laboratory facility that provides a wide range of laboratory services. We are committed to providing 24-hour operation, offering support and services to help us meet the needs of our patients.

Goals: The FNHE laboratory is dedicated to providing quality, accurate, reliable, and timely results to support the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients.

Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory Unit: The Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory Unit of FNHE came into function in the year 2022, due to federal government initiative and intervention to combat the ravaging infectious diseases and outbreaks in the country through molecular testing and other laboratory investigations that require utilization of the-state-of art equipment.

The laboratory is equipped with solar inverters that ensure 24 hour power supply, PCR machine, Biosafety level 2 and 3 classes, -86oc ultra power freezer, digital autoclave machine, automated extraction machine, bactalert blood culture machine, automated cold centrifuge machine, and ELISA machine, etc. This has equipped us to keep trend and track of these ever-evolving emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and outbreaks.

Our molecular laboratory plays a crucial role in providing fast, accurate, and reliable methods for detecting pathogens at molecular level. The new innovation is capable of detecting low levels of pathogen DNA or RNA, even in asymptomatic individuals or in early stage of infection.

The molecular diagnostics can also identify new strains or previously unknown pathogens that may cause outbreaks. Our team of staff are seasoned, thorough and skilled in molecular diagnostics, and are continuously engaging in self-development.

MD-LAB FNHE is capable of handling the following Outbreak investigations:

• COVID 19 (SARS COV 2 virus)
• Monkeypox (Mpox)
• Measles virus
• Rubella virus
• Yellow fever
• Ebola
• Mumps
• Cholera e.t.c.

Current Laboratory Innovations: In order to keep trend with the high demand in laboratory diagnostics, and the ever-evolving advances in laboratory services, the FNHE laboratory has invested much in advanced instruments and technology to enhance its services. Some of the current innovations in use include; PCR machine, automated clinical chemistry analyzers, Hematology analyzers, laboratory information management system (LIMS), solar inverters, biosafety cabinet class 2 and 3, digital autoclave machine, bactoalert, automated cold centrifuge machine, and ELISA machine, etc,.

Our laboratory provides diagnostic tests in various units such as:

1. Clinical Chemistry Unit:
   • Blood glucose test
   • Kidney function test
   • Lipid profiles (cholesterol and triglycerides)
2. Hematology Unit:
   • Complete blood count
   • Blood grouping and genotyping
   • Coagulation test
   • Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate test (ESR)
   • Pregnancy test
3. Microbiology Unit:
   • Cultures for bacterial and fungal infections
   • Antimicrobial sensitivity testing
   • Identification of parasites of diagnostic importance
   • Urine analysis
   • Stool analysis
4. Immunology and Serology Unit:
   • Retroviral screening
   • Hepatitis Screening
   • VDRL screening
   • Widal test
5. Molecular diagnostics and special testing Unit:
   • PCR testing
   • Hormonal test
   • Therapeutic drug monitoring (drug toxicology)

In line with our commitment to quality, the laboratory is well positioned to provide accurate, reliable, and timely laboratory results through the use of our cutting-edge technology and methodologies. Our personnel are seasoned, thorough and imbued with analytical prowess. As the laboratory continues to innovate and expand its services, it remains dedicated to supporting the delivery of high-quality patient care.

From: Information Unit Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu