UMS gears up as detection centre
Published on: Wednesday, April 01, 2020
By: Bernama
UMS researchers involved in the in-house training.
Kota Kinabalu: The Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Biotechnology Research Institute (IPB) is gearing up to become a Covid-19 detection centre in Sabah and assist the State Health Department (JKNS) conduct various detection tests.Its Director Dr Zarina Amin said a team of IPB researchers had undergone training in Covid-19 screening on March 27.ADVERTISEMENT
“After discussions between the two agencies involved in the Covid-19 screening - JKNS and the State Public Health Laboratory - they agreed that the detection of Covid-19 could be done at the IPB as we also have specialised researchers and proper screening facilities,” she said in a statement.
Zarina said the internal training session was held based on a real-life situation under the supervision of experienced bio-security officers and laboratory assistants.
Among the things accomplished were discussions on work steps, risk management, review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and mitigation steps starting from receiving, storing, sample processing, data analysis to sample disposal, she said.
”In this test, we use the Reverse Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) technique which can further enhance the Covid-19 screening test process,” she said.ADVERTISEMENT
Zarina said she was confident that with the comprehensive work environment developed through the training as well as having a well-trained team and facilities, the IPB would now be ready to conduct the Covid -19 screening test.
“UMS, through the IPB, is also capable of providing training to agencies in need. We are currently in the phase of discussions with JKNS to train more of our staff to conduct tests using RT-qPCR, to help launch the Covid-19 screening test process,” she said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
Meanwhile, a group of UMS researchers from the Science and Natural Resources Faculty has produced face shields to be donated to all hospitals in Sabah.
Head researcher Dr Chee Fuei Pien said they could produce 35 sets a day, adding that so far more than 110 sets of face shields had been produced to be handed over to the JKNS.