Authorities grant permission for rapid COVID-19 tests in Maldives

Permission for rapid COVID-19 tests that produce results within 15-minutes has been granted by Maldivian health authorities.

The tests were introduced to the country by Medtech Maldives Pvt Ltd. The test is a portable antigen test for COVID-19 that presents results within 15 minutes.

Produced by the US company Abbott, which is among the top laboratory test equipment producers in the world the BinaxNOW™ is a rapid, highly portable, and affordable tool for detecting active COVID-19 infections at a massive scale.

The machine developed by the US company Abbott delivers test results in just 15 minutes with no instrumentation, using proven lateral flow technology with demonstrated sensitivity of 97.1% and specificity of 98.5% in clinical studies.

It is an affordable tool to detect active infections. Abbott stated that the test is an EU approved test which uses a nasal swab and a credit card-sized test kit to provide results within 15 minutes, 

Medtech is the authorized distributor of Abbott products in the Maldives. Guidelines by HPA for the tests read that it is to be conducted within seven days of symptoms for the virus. 

Medtech Maldives has arranged the purchase of these antigen tests via email at [email protected] or by calling 3308663. The test is to be conducted at an authorized service provider with trained health workers along with infection control and prevention measures in place.