The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced the donation of 2,000 Covid-19 diagnostic kits that use a nuclear-derived testing technique that can produce results in hours instead of days. The US government is funding the donation. The DR is included in the first batch of countries to receive these kits supplied by the US government. The Ministry of Energy and Mines had requested the donation. Energy and Mines Minister Antonio Isa Conde expressed gratefulness in the name of the country for the donation of the 2,000 RT-PCR detection kits.
The testing technique is based on Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), which makes it possible to identify the Covid-19 virus within hours. The testing kits include an RT-PCR diagnostic system (which detects the presence of genetic material from the virus to confirm whether a patient has been infected). In addition to the diagnostic machines and kits, reagents and laboratory consumables to speed up national testing is included. Likewise, biosafety supplies, such as personal protection equipment and laboratory cabinets for the safe analysis of collected samples.
The US Embassy explained in a press release that the United States government has mobilized US$6 million for the IAEA project to provide training and purchase diagnostic and biosafety equipment for the Covid-19 to member states requesting support. The Dominican Republic is part of the IAEA.
“We are pleased that our assistance can support the Dominican Republic during this pandemic,” said the Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires, Shane Myers, who said the country is a strong partner for the United States, especially in the area of health. “The US Embassy in Santo Domingo, through agencies such as USAID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has invested over the years in building capacity, materials and training for the health sector in order to be better prepared to fight pandemics,” she added.
Read more:
US Embassy
IAEA
8 April 2020