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Health Ministry wants to incorporate Peruvian test to detect COVID-19

@EdMalagaTrillo

12:44 | Lima, Jun. 20.

Health Minister Victor Zamora on Saturday congratulated the research team —led by Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University— for the creation of a rapid molecular test to detect coronavirus cases and assured that his portfolio will ease the entire process so that this methodology is included in the protocol for COVID-19 screenings.

The Cabinet member said that —amid a pandemic— "we will speed up all processes to make (the recently-created test) available to our compatriots."

"We are very pleased that this new molecular testing methodology has been produced in Peru. We congratulate the researchers at Cayetano Heredia (University). The Health Ministry will do everything in its power to facilitate the incorporation of this new method for (the benefit of) Peruvians," he said in remarks to TV Peru.

The Government official noted he is aware that a part of the new method's production phase is yet to be completed and that researchers are awaiting authorization from the United States' Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Likewise, Zamora recalled that —prior to the corresponding formalization— all medications and supplies used for the first time in clinical practice must follow strict protocols to check if they are effective and safe for the population.

"If they meet those requirements, they will be included in the diagnostic or treatment methods. Once they (creators) have a fully finished product, the sanitary registration process will start in Peru," he added.

Invention

On Friday, a team of biologists from the Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University (UPCH) and Peruvian University of Applied Sciences (UPC) announced that they had created a low-cost portable rapid molecular test that detects the presence of the novel coronavirus in 40 minutes.

The information was shared on social media by Edward Malaga-Trillo, biomedical researcher and head of UPCH Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, who expressed his satisfaction with this invention made in Peru to help detect COVID-19 cases.

Ministers Walter Martos (Defense) and Victor Zamora (Health) participated in the start of civic action for the benefit of residents of Ticlio Chico area located in Lima's Villa Maria del Triunfo district.

Remarks were made within the framework of a mandatory social isolation imposed to prevent the COVID-19 from further spreading in the South American country.

Initially set to last from March 16 to 30, the quarantine was extended until June 30.

Saturday marks the ninety-seventh day of mandatory social isolation in Peru.

[1] 18 de Junio: EUREKA! Comparto con gran satisfacción este video de nuestra prueba rápida MOLECULAR en acción, detectando la presencia del nuevo coronavirus en un paciente COVID-19 peruano. Dos líneas reactivas en una tira de papel, formato portátil y de bajo costo, made in ???? pic.twitter.com/gi5bAXwxrr
— Ed Málaga-Trillo (@EdMalagaTrillo) June 19, 2020