Unibe’s Institute of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (Imtsag) and the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) signed on 22 January 2021 a collaboration agreement to increase processing capacity for Covid-19 testing. The university center has the capacity to process 600-700 PCR-SARS-CoV-2 samples daily, with a weekly flow of 3,000-4,000 samples. The renewed public-private partnership is for increased inter-institutional cooperation to increase testing at the university and strengthen collaboration with academia in research.
The agreement was signed by Public Health Minister Plutarco Arias; Odile Camilo, Academic Vice-Rector of Unibe; and Dr. Robert Paulino-Ramirez, director of the Institute of Tropical Medicine and Global Health.
Other participants during the agreement signing were Dr. Aída Mencía-Ripley, dean of Research and Innovation; and Dr. Leandro Féliz-Matos, general director of the Dean of Research at Unibe.
In addition to testing, the agreement provides for the training of personnel in biosafety, molecular biology, ethics, among others.
Public Health Minister Plutarco Arias praised the alliance and expressed his hope that in the future other universities will join the government in the nationwide effort to combat Covid-19.
Vice Rector Camilo explained the agreement establishes a fund for hiring laboratory personnel that may be increased depending on the demand for tests. The Ministry of Public Health agrees to provide the Institute of Tropical Medicine and Global Health with reagents and supplies corresponding to the processing needs and equipment.
In addition, both entities will jointly promote the participation of laboratory professionals in scientific societies.
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Unibe
26 January 2021