A medical worker wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) takes a swab sample from a man in Diepsloot near Johannesburg, South Africa, on May 8, 2020. （Photo： Agencies）

Abbott Laboratories, an American multinational health care company, is facing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit for undersupplying African suppliers of novel coronavirus test kits, a move that came at the expense of African companies, causing financial loss and damage to their reputations.

According to Centurion Law Group, which is representing the plaintiffs, even when the African parties first placed orders, delivery was late or not at all.

"Abbott Laboratories should have known better and their handling of orders of coronavirus test kits has caused serious health and financial damages to many Africans," NJ Ayuk, CEO of Centurion Law Group, said.

"We do not take this case lightly. These are trying times, and though a corporation is big and powerful, it does not give it the right to undermine the rights of African companies and governments who placed orders for coronavirus test products."

Ayuk said many African suppliers and governments were proactive in their response to the pandemic and placed timely orders with Abbott Laboratories.