Testing for COVID-19 can be decentralized in Ghana

I have been pushing for decentralized testing for COVID-19 in Ghana for many weeks.

There is good news

The Atila AmpFire system (bought by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa, for Catholic Hospital, Battor for HPV testing/cervical cancer screening) now has USA FDA Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19.

It is possible to run the test in Battor (if we order for the reagents).

This machine which costs USD16,000 can be placed in all regional hospital laboratories for decentralized COVID-19 testing.

This will go a long way in the fight against COVID-19 in Ghana (and other low middle income countries).

This test is much cheaper than other tests and also has a higher throughout. Up to 90 tests can be run in 2 hours.

When the COVID-19 pandemic is over, the machines can be used for HPV/cervical cancer screening, testing for Hepatitis B, C HIV etc. across the country.

Story by: Dr. Kofi Effah

Catholic Hospital, Battor