KNUST Develops Rapid Test Kits for Covid-19

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in collaboration with Incas Diagnostics, a diagnostic company based in Kumasi, have developed a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kit for COVID-19.

A statement from KNUST said the development is in line with Ghana’s objectives in the fight against the pandemic, specifically to “contain the spread of the virus, inspire the expansion of domestic capability and deepen self-reliance”.

The current molecular diagnostics Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test being used in Ghana to detect the Coronavirus takes at least 48 hours from testing to results. The PCR tests are also able to identify people who have been infected (symptomatic or asymptomatic) and recovered.

However, the KNUST and Incas test which is awaiting Food and Drugs Authority approval claims to detect the Coronavirus without requiring any other equipment.

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"...KNUST Incas RDT detects asymptomatic cases, enables decentralised testing to be done anywhere without requiring any equipment. The device also requires little technical training for those performing the test. The test which takes 15-20 minutes to perform would enable those tested to know their results in a shorter time to enable decision making in real-time by health authorities," the statement said.