‎SYNLAB Nigeria has introduced a home sample collection service aimed at making laboratory testing more accessible to Nigerians by reducing the need for patients to travel to diagnostic centres for sample collection.
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The service allows trained healthcare professionals to visit patients at home, collect the required samples and transport them to the laboratory for analysis, according to the company.
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SYNLAB said the initiative was designed to address challenges associated with traffic congestion, long waiting times and busy work schedules, which sometimes discourage people from undergoing necessary medical tests.
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The company, in a statement issued on Monday, said its home collection service was built around maintaining established diagnostic procedures while reducing the logistical difficulties patients encounter when accessing laboratory services.
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It, however, stressed that the reliability of laboratory results depended not on where samples were collected but on the quality of the collection, identification, transportation, storage and testing processes.
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According to SYNLAB, trained and certified phlebotomists handle home collections using appropriate sterile equipment and established procedures to protect sample integrity.
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The company noted that certain laboratory tests were sensitive to time and temperature, making proper transportation and handling essential to ensuring accurate results.
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It added that patient preparation was equally important, as factors such as fasting, hydration, medication and the timing of sample collection could influence some test results.
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To address these concerns, SYNLAB said it provides patients with relevant preparation instructions when they book their tests, while ensuring that samples are correctly identified and labelled throughout the testing process.
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Under the service, patients can book tests through the company’s website or contact its customer support team to arrange an appointment. Depending on the patient’s location and the test required, same-day or next-day appointments may be available.
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At the agreed time, a trained phlebotomist visits the patient’s home, verifies the patient’s identity, explains the collection procedure and obtains the required sample before transporting it to the laboratory for processing.
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The company said samples were handled according to the applicable requirements, including specific temperature and transportation conditions where necessary.
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It added that samples collected at home undergo laboratory processing using the appropriate equipment, testing protocols and quality checks, similar to those applied to samples collected at its service centres.
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On result delivery, SYNLAB said patients could access completed reports digitally through its Path Provider result delivery portal, while SMS or WhatsApp notifications could provide updates on the testing process.
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The company explained that turnaround times varied according to the type of test, with some results available within hours and others requiring longer processing periods.
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It also offers result review by a pathologist to help patients understand their reports and the next steps to take.
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SYNLAB said the service could benefit people requiring regular laboratory monitoring, older adults who experience mobility challenges, busy professionals and families seeking to conduct tests without making multiple trips to diagnostic centres.
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The company, however, advised patients considering home sample collection to pay attention to the laboratory’s accreditation, the qualifications of personnel collecting samples, transportation procedures, sample identification safeguards and result delivery arrangements.
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It maintained that convenience should complement, rather than compromise, clinical quality in diagnostic services.
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SYNLAB Nigeria is a member of the SYNLAB Group, which operates in more than 20 countries. The company said it has over 40 active locations across Nigeria and has maintained ISO 15189 certification since 2006.
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The SYNLAB Group provides routine and specialised medical diagnostic services to patients, healthcare professionals, hospitals, clinics, governments and corporate organisations.