The federal government says it has developed a
test kit — SARS-COV-2 Isothermal Molecular
Assay (SIMA) — that enables rapid testing of
COVID-19 within 40 minutes.

Olorunnimbe Mamora, the minister of state for
health, who stated this on Tuesday at the
presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19
briefing, said the kit was developed by the Nigeria
Institute of Medical Research (NIMR).

Mamora said the test kit produces results faster
than the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain
Reaction (RT-PCR), which is currently the sole
source of testing in the country; the PCR test
takes several hours to produce results.

“It is the SARS-COV-2 Isothermal Molecular Assay
(SIMA) which can be performed by low skilled
personnel with minimum training. This test which
is ten times cheaper than the PCR can be
deployed for point-of-care detection and
surveillance,” he said.

Speaking on the need to improve the country’s
health sector in the event of future outbreaks,
Mamora said there are plans to ensure that all
states have at least one infectious disease centre.

“Our goal is to have at least one standard
infectious disease centre in every state. We shall
therefore work with states to establish purpose-
built treatment centres that will ensure we are
better prepared for infectious disease outbreaks
in the country,” he said.

The minister appealed to governors to speed up
testing in their respective states, adding that it is
only through testing and isolation that the curve
of the coronavirus can be flattened.

“I shall again renew my appeal to state
governments to continue to ensure that we step
up case findings, sample collection and testing. It
is only by testing that we can identify those with
the infection for isolation and treatment,” Mamora
said.

As of September 28, over 500,000 samples have
been tested for COVID-19 in Nigeria, with close to
60,000 persons confirmed to have contracted the
virus; however, close to 50,000 patients have
recovered.

https://thecable.ng/fg-weve-developed-covid-19-test-kit-that-produces-result-within-40-minutes

This is very commendable. It's now time to get into vaccine development. When all is done, just like Russia did, test it on the family members of the President first.

Heh...

Abeg make una tell us sweet lies not this sour one jor

We are still waiting for the ridiculous amount they spent on invisible test kit

I dedicate my third to ftc position to all the people that are trying to sound smart by commenting.

You're likes, oh! I really mean, Your rewards are coming.

Arrrrrrrh

I pray this test kit take effect soon.

Cause we are tired of "we have done that, produce that" we need evidence.

How many billions did it cost?
Cos I no trust una