UP-NIH begins mass distribution of local COVID-19 test kits

The University of the Philippines National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) has begun mass distribution of locally-produced GENAMPLIFY™ COVID-19 rRT-PCR test kits funded by DOST and PCHRD.

These kits can process 25 tests simultaneously and yield results within two hours, increasing UP-NIH's testing capacity.

Dr. Raul Destura, a biotechnology researcher at UP-NIH, stated during the Beat Covid-19 virtual presser that they aim to conduct up to 16,000 tests per day by May 1.

Currently, the manufacturing facility is producing between 6,000 and 8,000 test kits daily with plans to increase production to 16,000 kits per day in May.