Kang Emil Introduces Two COVID-19 Testing Tools Made In West Java To Combat Imported Products

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil (Photo: Twitter @ridwankamil)

JAKARTA - West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil introduced two COVID-19 test kits from the research results of Padjajaran University and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). The two tools are the Rapid Test 2.0 and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR).

Kang Emil, his nickname, said research on these two testing tools was a way for scientists to defend the country amid the threat of COVID-19.

"This is the contribution of scientists who defend the country through their knowledge. Because in the fight against COVID-19, there are those who defend the country with the front line, namely medical personnel, assets and personnel, ”Ridwan said as quoted from the West Java Provincial Government website, Friday, May 15.

He then explained the advantages of the two testing tools. According to Ridwan, the Rapid Test 2.0 has an accuracy of 80 percent better than the previous rapid test because the specimens were taken using the swab method. This is different from the previous rapid test tools which only tested a blood sample.

This rapid test made by the nation's children uses antigens, which is different from the previous rapid test which only detects the presence of foreign objects in the body through antibodies.

The plan is for this tool to be produced as many as 5,000 units in June 2020 and in the next production 50 thousand units will be produced.

"The price is cheaper if the RDT which has been circulating is up to Rp. 300 thousand. For this, the maximum is only IDR 120 thousand, ”he said.

In addition to Rapid Test 2.0, Ridwan also introduced a rapid diagnostic testing tool based on the Plasmon resonance technique or Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) which focuses on detecting the SARS-Cov2 antigen or the virus that causes COVID-19.

In contrast to the swab method testing using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), he said, SPR does not need a laboratory when testing specimens. In addition, the time required for testing with SPR is faster than the PCR test and the price per unit is around Rp. 200 million.

“It is enough to (use) a laptop and an object as big as a motor battery that can accommodate eight samples. So it can be taken anywhere, ”said the former Mayor of Bandung.

With the two tools plus the PCR reagent from Biofarma, Ridwan is sure that the massive test target of 300 thousand West Java residents can be achieved.

"0.6 percent of the total population of West Java or 300 thousand people must be tested and God willing, we can pursue that target," he concluded.