India to receive 6,50,000 COVID-19 testing kits from China

The first lot of 3 lakh COVID-19 testing kits are to arrive from China on April 16, 2020. In another 2 weeks India will receive 2 to 3 million kits from China.

India is buying 100,000 RNA extraction kits and 5,50,000 antibody testing kits from China.

Highlights

India has diversified its imports of COVID-19 testing kits from France, Germany, Korea and Israel. Initially, Government of India refused to import kits from China as the kits were of substandard. Later, the Ministry of external Affairs traced the roots of many of these suppliers to China.

Role of External Affairs

The Ministry of External Affairs has been playing a major role in coordinating with other governments to acquire medical supplies, personal protective equipment, ventilators, etc. India will also import 15 million PPE kits from China. It is to be noted that 90% of raw materials for India APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) comes from China

Rapid Antibody testing

The rapid antibody testing is quicker than the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing. It takes 15 to 30 minutes to provide the results. The kit uses a lancet to prick on a person’s finger and collects blood to examine for antibodies.

The test checks for IgM and IgG antibodies.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2020