The United States government today donated to the National Department of Health 25,000 Universal Transport Medium (UTM) test kits and 1,050 BioFire COVID-19 test kits. The donations came through the United States Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of Defense.
“Accurate and timely testing data supports decision makers to target response activities and provide vaccine supplies and medical support to quickly address hotspots before they experience a full outbreak,” said Ambassador McKee.
The UTM test kits are an FDA-approved collection and transport system designed to collect clinical specimens for the testing and safe transport of patients suspected to be COVID positive. The BioFire test kits are rapid diagnostic PCR tests that can provide test results in 45 minutes or less for patients suspected of having COVID-19.
The UTM and BioFire kits donated by the U.S. government to the NdoH to improve PNG’s testing and patient management capabilities will assist in the rapid identification and treatment of COVID-positive patients. The clinical monitors will strengthen clinical management of patients at health centers and isolation facilities within the NCD and in select provinces as determined by the NDoH.
“Having a complete picture of the COVID-19 situation in PNG will allow the country to more effectively coordinate its response to contain and stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Ambassador McKee. “In turn, this will allow PNG to get back to business as usual, putting people back to work and ensuring economic recovery.”
These test kits and monitors are the latest in the United States’ support to PNG to curtail COVID-19. To date, the U.S. government has contributed $6.9 million (24.3 million kina) through implementing partners FHI 360, the WHO and UNICEF, and through donations of personal protective equipment from the U.S. military to fight COVID-19 in PNG.
This also includes the U.S. latest obligation through USAID of 2 million dollars — more than 7 million kina –announced earlier this month to support PNG’s response and vaccine deployment activities.
Picture: U.S. Ambassador Erin McKee and Health Minister Jelta Wong with their respective teams at the National Department of Health office.