Indonesia Develops Locally-made COVID-19 Test Kits, Portable Ventilator

Minister of Research and Technology Bambang Brodjonegoro delivers statement after joining limited meeting on Wednesday (15/4). (Photo by: PR/Rahmat)

Minister of Research and Technology Bambang Brodjonegoro asserted that Indonesia is now developing COVID-19 test kits and portable ventilator.

“Regarding test kits, there are two types; PCR-based test kit and rapid test kit. We have reported the President that rapid test kits will be ready in one and a half months or six weeks from now,” the Minister said after joining a Limited Meeting on Wednesday (15/4).

Around 100,000 rapid test kits will be produced by PT Hematika, Yogyakarta with the help of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) and the Gadjah Mada University (UGM). More rapid test kits will be produced in the future to handle COVID-19 pandemic.

“The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) diagnostic kit (is developed) based on cooperation between the BPPT, startup company Nusatics, and PT Biofarma,” he added.

The BPPT team with the help of the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology conducts research to discover COVID-19 local strains. Therefore, in the near future Indonesia will produce PCR diagnostic kit which reacts to local transmission virus so that the result is expected to be more accurate for Indonesian.

Regarding portable ventilator, the Minister said that the prototype which is developed by the BPPT team is now being tested by Ministry of Health. The test is expected to be finished this week and the production can be followed after by two manufacturers; state-owned manufacturer PT Len Industry and private manufacturer PT Poly Jaya Medikal. Each of which has a production capacity of 100 units portable ventilator per week. Thus, by 25 April 2020, the production is expected to reach 200 units.

According to the Minister, the Ministry will not only focus on ventilator developed by the BPPT but also facilitate other prototypes developed by universities, research institutions, and private sector to be tested by the Ministry of Health.

“We will also help them to find manufacturing partners for the production. Nevertheless, we will comply with the data compiled by COVID-19 Task Force/ the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) on the needs of ventilator throughout Indonesia,” Bambang firmly said. (FID/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany S
Reviewed by: Lulu Wuliarti