Universitas Gadjah Mada and the Indonesian Ministry of Research and Technology cooperated to build a collaboration in distributing as many as 11 thousand products for Covid-19 rapid detection test kits in some health clinics and public hospitals in several regions in Indonesia. This distribution is a form of innovation from UGM researchers and cooperation with other researchers from several universities. The product is called RI-GHA that stands for the Republic of Indonesia-Gadjah Mada Hepatika Airlangga.
Prof. Sofia Mubarika, as the main researcher from RI-GHA, revealed that this Covid-19 rapid diagnostic test tool is based upon antibodies to detect IgM, also IgG produced by the body to resist Covid-19. She added before this tool is going to be tested, the RI-GHA research and development had passed through quite a lengthy process to improve product quality that was not second-rate to other similar commercial products on the market. "This tool has passed through a long process. Next, we keep continuously improving the right formula," said Sofia Mubarika during the handover of 1,500 RI-GHA products to the Head of the Sleman Health Service, Joko Hastaryo, at the Mlati II Sleman Health Center, on Wednesday (14/11).
Sofia Mubarika continued that this Covid-19 rapid diagnosis tool's development was part of the researchers' contribution to support the government in handling the Covid-19 pandemic. She also appreciated the Indonesian Ministry of Research and Technology for distributing 11 thousand free products to the public. "I am so thankful to the Ministry of Research and Technology for supporting the innovative products resulting from the nation's youth, which next can be distributed to the community," she said.
For information, RI-GHA product is produced in UGM Science and Techno Park health factory located in the Minomartani area, Sleman. The researcher's goal in developing this product is to meet the need for a Covid-19 detection tool that is practice and accurate. Besides, the most important one is this product can be produced domestically in order to support the nation's independence in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This Covid-19 rapid diagnosis tool is planned to be disseminated to 2,000 units of Medical Health (FK) Unsoed Purwokerto, Yogyakarta City Health Service 1,500 units, Gunungkidul Health Service 1,500 units, Kulon Progo Health Service 1,500 units, Makassar City Health Office 1,000 units, UMM Hospital (Malang) 1,000 units and Malang District Health Office as many as 1,000 units.
Joko Hastaryo, as the Head of the Sleman Health Service, also welcomed the distribution of this rapid diagnosis tool by UGM and Airlangga University researchers. He hoped that this tool could be produced at a more affordable price. "Hopefully, the price would be more affordable next time," he said.
He revealed that it only cost Rp. 75 thousand for one time RI-GHA test. Previously, the Sleman Regency ordered the rapid test product that cost 85 thousand for one test to anticipate the post-election clusters.
Novi Mukti Rahayu, as the Head of the Sub-directorate for the Food, Health and Drug Industry, Ministry of Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, hoped that this resulting product innovated by the UGM campus could have a big contribution in handling Covid-19 in the country. She announced that there would be a massive distribution of the innovative products that include diagnostic test kits and other innovative products such as ventilators and herbal medicines. "Hopefully, this can be useful for the broader community, and we can strongly go through this pandemic period in the hope that our economy will also soon revive," she said.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Translator: Natasa A