President Luis Abinader was present for the inauguration of the expansion of manufacturing space from 3,600 square meters to 6,000 square meters at the Jabil manufacturing plant in Bajos de Haina, San Cristóbal, on the outskirts of the capital city. The Dominican plant is part of the expansion of the company’s healthcare manufacturing operations in the Caribbean. US$40 million were invested in the plant expansion.
Capabilities at the factory include injection molding; pad printing and laser marking; RF, ultrasonic, and laser welding; solvent and UV bonding; electrical and functional testing; and manual and automated assembly. Quality systems are certified to ISO 13485 and the facility is FDA registered.
At the event, President Abinader celebrated the start of the manufacturing of a variety of medical devices, including a fast PCR test approved by the US FDA that has a 98% efficacy. Test results can be known in 30 minutes. A date was not given for when the PCR test kits would be available in pharmacies in the Dominican Republic. The tests were developed by Jabil affiliate, Lucira Health, and will not require prescriptions.
Lucira Health developed the at home Covid-19 test kit that delivers PCR quality molecular accuracy “in the palm of your hand in 30 minutes or less”. The technology is transforming how to reduce the spread of infectious diseases by bringing accurate, easy-to-use self-testing into the home.
The production begins in May 2021 with 250,000 units, increasing to 750 by June and 1 million tests by July and August of this year. This will be increased to 2 million, said Jabil operations director in the Dominican Repubic, Luis Diaz.
The announcement coincides with a recent publishing of a Ministry of Public Health resolution that restricts to one free test a year the number of PCR tests health plans (ARSs) will cover in the Dominican Republic. The PCR tests will continue to be free when ordered at public hospitals. The new over-the-counter test would enable Dominicans to check for Covid-19 at home whenever needed.
Jabil Inc is a company on the New York Stock Exchange. Jabil’s Dominican Republic operations support Jabil Healthcare, a division of Jabil, providing expertise in manufacturing and supply chain solutions, combined with exceptional engineering and design capabilities to develop product solutions across a broad range of medical devices.
At the inauguration, President Abinader highlighted that his administration seeks to create an attractive business climate for investors and private businesses. He said the objective is to transform the Dominican Republic into a global logistics and manufacturing hub. Jabil top executives Erik Engelson of Lucira Health and Steve Borges of Jabil Healthcare were present for the inauguration. Also Public Health Minister Daniel Rivera, Labor Minister Luis Miguel de Camps and Industry & Commerce Minister Victor (Ito) Bisonó.
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Jabil
Jabil
Listin Diario
Presidency
26 April 2021