The Association of Chinese Enterprise in Guyana (ACEG) and the Chinese Community in Guyana on Friday donated a quantity of laboratory diagnostic supplies valued approximately $17.2 million to enhance testing services in the battle against COVID-19.
Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony received the equipment from Chinese Ambassador, His Excellency Cui Jianchun at a simple ceremony at his Brickdam Office.
According to the Department of Public Information, the Minister noted that the supplies will greatly assist Guyana in the fight against COVID-19 and expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador and the groups for the donation.
The donation comprised a Nucleic Acid Extraction System and Viral Nucleic Acid Extraction Kits.
Dr. Anthony said the machine will help to automate the process of extracting the coronavirus from the sample to help amplify it, so that the tests could be processed faster.
“We estimate that once the machine is up and running that the processing time would be reduced to about two hours, so that we would be able to do at least 96 samples within two to three hours and that would be a remarkable achievement,” Minister Anthony was quoted.
As a result, this will lead to more tests within an eight-hour shift.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Cui said the Chinese community will continue to work with Guyana in the fight against the disease.
Newly appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Malcolm Watkins also conveyed his appreciation for the donation, noting that it was timely.
Guyana welcomed the latest batch of the Chinese Medical Brigade last week under a continued partnership between the two countries to help to augment services in hospitals across Guyana.
To date, the Ministry has received quantities of personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, computers, LIFEPAK monitor/defibrillator machines, biosafety bags, tablets and several other medical supplies and equipment in the battle against COVID-19 from the Government of India, PAHO/WHO and other partners in the battle against the disease.
