Highlights
- We have named it 'COVIHOME' as it can be used easily at home: Expert
- All you need is this kit and a mobile phone to conduct the test: Expert
- Kit combines rapid antigen test's speed and RTPCR's accuracy: Expert
Hyderabad: India’s first Rapid electronic Covid-19 RNA Test kit that allows self-testing at home called ‘COVIHOME’ has been developed by a research group at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH). According to the Project Incharge, Govind Singh, the kit has been validated by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and can be used to check for Covid-19 trace at the comfort of home with no harm, in about 20 minutes. “We have named it ‘COVIHOME’ as the test can be conducted easily at the comfort of your home,” Mr Singh told ANI.
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Explaining the process, Govind Singh who is a professor in IIT Hyderabad said,
The principle behind the kit is that it measures the electrical current before and after of immobilisation of RNA on the sensor platform of the kit. The result is then calculated using an algorithm in the mobile app. It is very simple to conduct a test. All you need is this kit and a mobile phone, he added.
He further said that the beauty of this kit lies in the fact that it combines the abilities of rapid antigen test’s speed and RTPCR’s accuracy. He added,
It is completely safe and after rigorous testing with many samples provided by ESI hospital, we have achieved around 94 per cent efficiency, he added.
He further mentioned that the kit is ready for technology transfer and is looking for a manufacturer to mass-produce it so that the invention reaches everyone. He stated that the approximate cost of the kit could range between Rs 350 to Rs 450.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.
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