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By EDD K. USMAN
(SDN) — FILIPINO scientist Dr. Raul V. Destura’s brainchild for coronavirus detection “is finally ready not just for the country but the world.”
The kit referred to is the “GenAmplify Corona Virus Disease-2019 (Covid-19) rRT-PCR Detection Kit.” (RT-PCR is real-time polymerase chain reaction.)
Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, undersecretary for Research and Development (R&D) at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), sounded this off in a post on social media.
“We, at the DOST and DOH (Department of Health), are proud of our homegrown scientists who continue to use their talent to benefit not only the Filipino people but the rest of humanity as well,” Guevara remarks.
“After several months of collaboration, we are proud to say, GenAmplify version 2, the country’s very own RT-PCR test kit, is finally ready not just for the country but the world.”
— DOST Undersecretary Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara
Related story: FDA Approves DOST Covid-19 Detection Kit for Commercial Use
She noted that Destura and his team at Manila HealthTek, Inc. worked closely with DOST’s independent laboratory panel as they addressed key issues that snagged GenAmplify’s first version.
“After several months of collaboration, we are proud to say, GenAmplify version 2, the country’s very own RT-PCR test kit, is finally ready not just for the country but the world.”
The kit comes inclusive of PCR test; RNA extraction, viral transport packet and sample collector, Guevara pointed out, adding Manila HealthTek provides training for laboratories on the use of the kit.
So far, she said, some medical institutions have already placed order for the kit, among them, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC), V. Luna Medical Center (VLMC), The Medical City (TMC), and the local government units (LGUs) of Marikina City, Tarlac City, and Iloilo City.
Earlier, DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña announced that six medical facilities will be given the testing kits.
They are Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Makati Medical Center (MMC), The Medical City (TMC), Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), and Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC).
Guevara confirmed this, saying the kit is already being distributed to selected local and testing centers in and outside Metro Manila. “As of today (July 21), the Philippine Genome Center (PGC), University of the Philippines National Institutes for Health (UP-NIH), and Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) have received GenAmplify kit packages that are DOST-funded.”
She also said that practical training on the proper use and care of the technology is being facilitated by the staff of Manila HealthTek.
As of this month, the DOST R&D chief said the following institutions have received hands-on training, such NIH UP Manila, The Medical City Ortigas, University of San Agustin (USA), Iloilo City (for West Visayas State University Medical Center), Makati Medical Center (MMC), Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, V. Luna Medical Center, Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP), Bicol Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory (BDRL), Tropical Disease Foundation (TDF), Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC), Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, La Union, and Maria Reyna -Xavier University Hospital, Inc. – Cagayan de Oro City.
Selected staff from San Lazaro Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila, had their training scheduled on July 22-23.
Guevara said that per test of GenAmplify costs Php1,778. She added that a complete package of Manila HealthTek’s product is inclusive of GenAmplify Viral RNA Purification Kit, GenAmplify Coronavirus Disease-2019 (Covid-19) rRT-PCR Detection Kit, and VTMtek Pack (includes sampling swabs and transport media).
She explained that the “first version of GenAmplify Covid-19 test kit had a minor issue which was caused by contaminated probes from one supplier abroad.”
Now, GenAmplify is ready for the world. (SDN)