G$17M testing machine to significantly reduce waiting time for results

G$17M testing machine to significantly reduce waiting time for results – Health officials

Oct 10, 2020 News

COVID-19 test results will now be available within two to three hours. This development comes on the heels of a donation of a new testing machine and testing kits from the Government of China. Senior officials within the Ministry of Health told Kaieteur News yesterday that the machine and testing kits are valued at G$17.2 million.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.

It was also stated that the machine will be able to process at least 96 test samples within three hours, reducing the lengthy waiting time for results.
The machine and testing kits were handed over by the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun, at a handing over ceremony. The ambassador said that following discussions with the Health Minister, he contacted the Chinese community to provide assistance so that Guyana would be able to fast track testing.
Also present at the ceremony was Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, who thanked the Chinese Government for all of its contributions. He said that China would’ve enabled Guyana to come a far way in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, by increasing testing and the finding of positive cases.At the ceremony, it was also announced that the Chinese government has sent medical specialists to assist with the installation of the machine and to give advice on how to use it. Another set of specialists will be at health facilities to assist with Guyana’s fight against the novel Coronavirus, it was revealed.

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun.

The machine donated is called an extractor and it is specifically used to extract genetic material. It was installed at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) on Wednesday. Minister Anthony stated that with the new extracting machine and its ability to process 96 test samples within three hours, a large number of tests will be covered in an eight-hour shift.
Dr. Anthony had previously told Kaieteur News that upon assuming the Health Minister post, a decision was taken to increase the number of shifts at the NPHRL to three as the previous administration only had one shift, making it hard for efficient testing to be conducted. The Minister had explained that his administration was working assiduously to deliver faster test results to the Guyanese people and thus implemented several initiatives which included sending test results out of Guyana to Trinidad for faster testing.
Additionally, 24 new ventilators were collected on Thursday which will be used in COVID-19 Intensive Care Units at care facilities. Guyana is awaiting the arrival of two more ventilators from the Government of Mexico, which was announced by the country’s ambassador to Guyana, Hurtado Contretas, during a courtesy call paid to the Health Minister.

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