Rapid diagnostic kit for HIV launched in Singapore
Rockeby Biomed, a Singapore-based biotechnology company, announced Thursday that it intends to distribute a rapid diagnostic kit for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the city state.
The OraQuick Rapid HIV 1/2 Antibody Test kit can detect the presence of antibodies to both HIV-1 and HIV-2 viruses through oral fluid, venipuncture or fingerstick whole blood samples.
It can yield a result within 20 minutes with an accuracy greater than 99 percent, according to a press release by the company.
Government agencies, hospitals, clinics, licensed physicians, as well as outreach and rehabilitation centers throughout Singapore are expected to get the kit.
The company said that it has reached an agreement with OraSure Technologies, a US company and developer of the test kit, to act as the sole distributor in Singapore.
OraSure launched a similar rapid HIV test kit in the United States last year, which has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, the statement said.
The Ministry of Health announced on Thursday, the World AIDS Day,that a total of 2,584 Singaporeans were found to be infected with HIV as of October this year, of which 198 were diagnosed in the first 10 months of this year.
Source: Xinhua
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