54gene unveils diagnostic hub, 7RiverLabs, to boost patient health outcomes   

Health Technology Company, 54gene, has launched 7RiverLabs, a diagnostic hub fitted with state-of-the-art technology, to offer healthcare providers and patients access to advanced molecular diagnostics.

Launching the hub in Lagos Tuesday, the company said the tech-hubs is cost-effective, speedy and reliable.

Founder and CEO of the company, Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong explained that sample collection centres with over 100 employees are already open in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, with more centres due to launch in 10 major Nigerian cities in the coming months. Pan-African expansion for 7RiverLabs is also planned over the course of 2022. 

Ene-Obong said: “Since its launch in 2019, 54gene has driven genomics and molecular medicine throughout Africa. Formerly known as DiagnoseMe Africa, 7RiverLabs (named after the seven major rivers on the continent), is designed to equalise precision medicine for African populations.

“Building  on that vision, 54gene has domesticated diagnostic technology; eliminating the need for samples to be sent abroad for analysis, at a considerable cost to the patient. Physicians will now be able to detect and prevent diseases earlier, thereby helping to improve patients’ treatment outcomes and quality of health.  

“Launching 7RiverLabs is a manifestation of one of the goals 54gene set out to achieve two years ago – to improve diagnostic and treatment outcomes on the continent. With the range of tests 7RiverLabs offers, millions of Africans can begin to take greater control of their health. Our goal with this new diagnostics arm is to ensure that every African has access to our hubs offering advanced laboratory tests without having to pay an exorbitant out-of-pocket fee. Patients will receive speedy results that will guide their physicians in reducing late diagnoses leading to poor chances of survival, improve their treatment options and ultimately their quality of life.” 

As part of its mission to establish itself as a principal provider of diagnostic care driven by ultra-modern technology, 54gene has appointed its Chief Business Officer, Jude Uzonwanne as the diagnostic arm’s interim-CEO. 

Also commenting, Uzonwanne said: “7RiverLabs is complementing Government and industry efforts to attain the Nigerian Ministry of Health’s mandate towards improved care for the general population. Hundreds of molecular tests will be made available for millions of people at a fraction of the cost of transporting samples overseas thereby helping to increase early disease-detection and screening rates and save lives.

“This is groundbreaking news for Nigeria; and as we forge trusted partnerships with leading health insurers, hospitals and healthcare professionals, we anticipate that hundreds more jobs will be created in our expansion of services across Africa,” he added.