The Walloon company ZenTech has signed an important memorandum of understanding with the Congolese Government to conduct a national screening programme of newborns.

Founded in 2001, ZenTech specialises in the development of screening diagnostics for genetic diseases that can be detected in early life stages.

The Liege-based company's expertise in neonatology and the flexibility of the proposed solutions won over the Congolese authorities, including the first head, His Excellency Doctor Félix Kabange Numbi, Minister of Health for the DRC. In addition to supplying the necessary laboratory equipment, an important training component is included in the framework agreement signed with the Minister.

The agreement, signed in Kinshasa, is part of the policy conducted by Doctor Félix Kabange Numbi, Minister of Health of the DRC. This agreement firstly covers the creation of a range of three tests aiming to detect the risk of sickle-cell disease, G6PD deficiency and the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in newborns in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This memorandum of understanding marks a major step in the development of the Liege-based company which in 2016 celebrates 15 years in existence. ZenTech currently employs 30 people at its Liege site and achieves 95% of its turnover through exports. With the signing of this memorandum of understanding, the entire sub-Saharan market is now opened up to the Walloon company. This signature is also consistent with the strategic repositioning adopted by ZenTech in 2015.