COVID-19: HOW GHANA'S DISCOVERED RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TEST KIT WORKS -INCAS DIAGNOSTICS
Incas Diagnostics, has explained how the newly domestically developed Rapid Diagnostic Test(RDT) will work on a COVID-19 sample.
The initiative is a joint effort between Incas Diagnostic ( a diagnostic Company) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Mines and Technology who are all based in Kumasi.
Synonymous to the homemade kit used in testing glucose or pregnancy, the RDT only needs a finger-prick drop of blood from the individual to detect two different types of antibodies produced by the body to fight off the COVID-19 infection and takes about 10-15 minutes to show test results.
Speaking on the Orange Sunrise, CEO of Incas Diagnostics, Laud Anthony Basing, explained how the test kit will help Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research( KCCR) and Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) in the testing for the novel coronavirus.
Here is a breakdown of what he said:
•The Pulmeracy Chain Reaction (PCR) test is the gold standard in testing for COVID-19 and the RDT is a serological test added to the PCR to detail out how many people have been exposed to the virus.
•The RDT -serological test; basically, looks out for antibodies produced in an individual in response to the infection and it will also be used to screen and confirm accurate data to our research centres (I.e, KCCR and Noguchi)
•Although PCR is the gold standard, it can’t detect asymptomatic carriers because their antibodies have been able to fight off the virus and can only test and detect visible virus which have been shared.
•The RDT will be used at COVID-19 free regions in Ghana (Savannah, Bono, Ahafo and Bono East) to whether they have been exposed to coronavirus or not.
Having won some international awards from WHO and other international organisations for developing tests kits for, Vaginal Infections, Skin Infections, et al. As per today, Incas Diagnostics are waiting for validation and approval from Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and Noguchi.
story by Arafat Musa-Orange FM
