The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research says the delay in the production of its molecular test kit for COVID-19 was due to logistics problem experienced during the lockdown.
The Federal Government-owned institute said the molecular test kit was the first of its kind in the country.
NIMR Director-General, Prof. Babatunde Salako, said the transportation of bio-informatic analysis of primers and probes needed for the project from China and the United Kingdom was part of the reasons for the delay.
“The production of SAR-CoV-2 could have come up since. We experienced delay in transporting the primers and probes that we needed during the lockdown, as they were to be brought in from China and the United Kingdom.
“These are some of the challenges that delayed its production.
“Whatever it is, we believe COVID-19 is still with us. It will certainly be useful to the country, especially now that travellers are being asked to produce COVID-19 result and certificate,” he said.
According to developers of the SARS CoV-2 Isothermal Molecular Assay, SIMA, using the test kit enables results to be ready in less than 40 minutes.
Salako warned that there could be possible resurgence of the virus following the relaxation of lockdown restriction across the country.
“We have not seen the end of COVID-19 yet. As schools, malls, airports and commercial activities are coming back to life, we might witness a resurgence of the virus.
“If this happens, the only thing that can help is for people to have access to testing.
“With time, all these things will become deregulated. The use of SARS-CoV-2 test kit goes beyond the laboratory.
“It can also be used by researchers on the field and taken to rural areas and other difficult-to-reach regions for testing,” he stated.
The SIMA project was sponsored by Fate Philanthropy Coalition against COVID-19, which awarded NIMR a grant of N20m to support the ‘in-house design and development of point-of-care isothermal real-time test detecting SARS-CoV-2 to identify infected persons.
On the possibility of having the SARS-CoV-2 Isothermal Molecular Assay replacing the mandated PCR test for travellers, Salako said it depends on the Federal Government’s policy.
“I don’t know what the government policy is. But I think by the time hospitals, especially tertiary health institutions, are allowed to use SIMA, it could be extended to them,” he said.
He noted that the institute has a working assay guaranteed to detect 100 copies/mL SARS CoV-2 ribonucleic acid, as it continues to improve on the detection limit.
Speaking with our correspondent, FPCC project manager, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, said the project was championed by chairman of Fate Foundation, Mr. Fola Adeola.
“Going by what is happening globally, the 20-year-old-old organisation decided to partner designated government research centres like NIMR to provide ground-breaking innovations in the fight against COVID-19.
“We are also out to provide health care workers with medical supplies and protective equipment.
“I must say we are really excited to be part of what NIMR is doing, as we believe that only Nigerians can solve Nigeria’s problems,” she said.