Somali government has confirmed the delivery of COVID-19 testing kits in the country on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services said the equipment arrived in the capital following support from the World Health Organization and the Italian embassy in the country.
“COVID-19 testing equipment arrived in Mogadishu today. Thanks to Italy for the generous support and WHO for their technical and logistical support respectively.” The Ministry said in its official twitter account.
The equipment will be stationed at the national public laboratory to carry out much need COVID-19 examination from across the country.
The samples were previously airlifted to neighboring Kenya WHO certified lab for confirmation with extra time and cost.
The delivery comes just hours after the country registered first COVID-19 death.
Minister for Health and Social Services, Dr. Fowziya Abikar Nur who confirmed the loss said the 58-year-old had no travel history thus forcing the ministry to shift its focus from travelers.
Two health professionals who had contact with senior government officials also tested positive for the pandemic pitting the number of COVID-19 in the horn of the African nation to 12.
