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Research and Technology Ministry to launch rapid and PCR test kits
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Research and Technology Minister and National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) head Bambang Brodjonegoro has said the ministry is developing COVID-19 test kits to improve screening for the virus. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
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esearch and Technology Minister and National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) head Bambang Brodjonegoro has said the ministry is developing COVID-19 test kits to improve screening for the virus.
The ministry has launched 60 medical devices since May and is now developing a rapid antibody test kit and a rapid antigen, or swab test, kit.
Bambang said the test kits were being tested for validity and sensitivity. “We hope to launch the test kits soon, probably next month because we want to ensure their accuracy through comparative or clinical trials,” he said during a meeting on Wednesday with members of House of Representatives Commission VII overseeing energy, as quoted by kompas.com.
The rapid antibody test kit, according to Bambang, was the second generation of the test and was being examined by the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT).
The rapid swab test kit is being developed by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).
Bambang said he hoped that both test kits would be more accurate, more valid and more affordable than current tests. He also hoped they would provide faster results.
“This is part of the government’s 3T principle: testing, tracing and treatment. We are strengthening the testing aspect by launching the two products,” he said. (aly)
