Malaysian Scientist Creates World’s First Covid-19 Rapid Test Kit
It’s able to detect the virus as accurately as laboratories can.
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A group of local scientists have successfully produced the world’s first rapid test kit that can detect Covid-19 as accurately as those performed in the laboratory.
This innovation was led by Associate Prof Dr Wan Wardatul Amani Wan Salim, who is also the first Malaysian to launch the United States Aeronautics and Space Agency’s (NASA) sensory device to measure and monitor single cell organisms in space.
She said the test kit was able to detect Covid-19 using saliva compared to existing technology.
The Penang-born also explained that it can detect the coronavirus, even when the saliva of the individual doesn’t contain a lot traces of other viruses at a cheaper and faster rate.
Dr Wan Wardatul said in an interview with Berita Harian that the project was originally an attempt to develop a better glucose reading device that could detect sugar content through saliva.
This innovation began when I, in collaboration with the Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA), developed sensors to detect harmful bacteria used during the floods in Kuala Krai, Kelantan, in 2014. However, my group started thinking of ideas to help fight Covid-19, when the epidemic hit the whole country. From there we are trying to develop the technology used for COVID-19 screening.
Associate Prof Dr Wan Wardatul Amani Wan Salim via Berita Harian
The group of scientists was also listed as one of the 15 finalists for the Community Award organized by the prestigious university of the United States (US), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – MIT Solve Challenge.
It’s a marketing platform for social impact innovation from around the world as well as opportunities for technology entrepreneurs to expand their potential.
You can do your part by voting for Dr Wan Wardatul’s team by clicking this link.
She hopes to hold a meeting with the Ministry of Health’s Director-General, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah to present the results of their innovation.
We are still waiting for feedback from the National Technology & Innovation Sandbox (NTIS), apart from submitting an appeal to the Ministry of Higher Education which rejected our application. We hope Malaysia can become a hub for the production of this device because it is the result of local children’s innovation, apart from the sensor strip for this device can be sold for less than RM4, if it is widely marketed later.
Associate Prof Dr Wan Wardatul Amani Wan Salim via Berita Harian
Saya berbangga dengan pencapaian Prof Madya Dr. Wan Wardatul Amani Wan Salim serta pasukannya dari syarikat pemula…
Posted by Khairy Jamaluddin on Monday, 14 September 2020
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