Many countries order made-in-Vietnam SARS-CoV-2 test kits
18/3/20
Many countries have placed orders for SARS-CoV-2
test kits produced by Vietnam, according to Deputy Minister of Science and
Technology Pham Cong Tac.
Speaking at a working session between representatives from the Ministry of
Science and Technology and the Health Ministry in Hanoi on March 17, Tac
said Vietnam is
one of the few countries in the world producing SARS-CoV-2 test kits.
The Military Medical University has cooperated with the Viet A Joint Stock
Company to produce tens of thousands of test kits a day at a cost of about
500,000 VND (21.5 USD) for a single test, which includes expenses for relevant
materials and equipment.
If the COVID-19 epidemic breaks out, Vietnam is capable of supplying test kits,
Tac said, adding that local
scientists have made great contributions to the success, which
is particularly valuable to disease control.
Among Viet A JSC’s customers, Hanoi has ordered 4,000 test kits for on-site use
and to donate to hospitals in Italy – home to one of the largest outbreaks in
Europe at present.
Other Vietnamese scientists are also developing test kits for SARS-CoV-2.
Notably, the National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE)
said it is evaluating isothermal amplification test kits developed by the Hanoi
University of Science and Technology.
This technology uses simple thermal blocks with the cost of under 2 million VND
instead of using Real-time PCR machines for testing. It is expected to help
save money and human resources in the process of testing.
NIHE is assisting the university in assessing and providing scientific
evidence, thus helping the researchers complete their work./.
All comments [ 17 ]
Việt Nam is one of the few countries in the world producing SARS-CoV-2 test kits.
The test kits, which were developed by the Military Medical University and Việt Á Corporation, and have been approved by the MoH, can detect the novel coronavirus in specimens of droplets obtained from the respiratory tract and blood samples.
Even if the COVID-19 pandemic worsens, the country can rely on its own kits, local scientists have made great contributions to disease control.
The tests in the Cần Thơ centre will help shorten the time for detection and implementation of preventive measures.
The country currently has 30 facilities capable of doing the COVID-19 test.
All funding will be used by these organisations for research and producing test kits for disease diagnosis; researching treatment regimens; research and manufacture of vaccines; research on the epidemiological characteristics, viral characteristics and transmission ability of the virus.
Aiming to promote scientific and technological research in Viet Nam, we look forward to empowering scientists in research on disease prevention and control which will be very effective with the cooperation of the State.
Bravo Vietnam!
We should emphasise the project’s importance as the COVID-19 epidemic remained a global threat.
Results confirmed Vietnamese scientists’ high professional skills and the ministry’s determination in contributing to the epidemic prevention and control.
Comparing to the test kits being used by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Vietnamese product provided similar results.
The products can meet demand for the country and also for export to support other countries.
UK Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward has recently made a clip in Vietnamese language, thanking Vietnam for its support for British citizens and tourists amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Citizen protection in areas affected by the COVID-19 outbreak is one of the top priorities of the Vietnamese Government.
The Foreign Ministry and Vietnamese representative agencies have actively and proactively launched measures to support and protect Vietnamese citizens living, studying, working and travelling abroad, especially in epidemic-hit areas.
Vietnamese representative agencies abroad have launched hotlines round-the-clock, particularly in affected areas to offer instructions and stay ready to support citizens if necessary.
Vietnam still regularly shares information and creates favourable conditions for all nations to conduct citizen protection measures in line with Vietnam and international law and practices.
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