On February 4, 2021, Dong Nai Department of Health received handover of a Real-time PCR testing system worth VND 5 billion from Sonadezi to expedite Covid-19 testing in the province.

Sonadezi symbolically transferred the Real-time PCR testing system

The real-time PCR testing system donated by Sonadezi is now installed at the Dong Nai Center for Disease Control (CDC), serving testing from February 4, 2021. This system is manufactured by (Switzerland) Roche in 2020, of the Cobas 4800 + Magna Pure 96 model. This is a highly scalable and fully automated system, consisting of two main components: automated extraction and real-time analysis.

The system is CE-IVD certified in line with European Union standards and the tests on the Cobas 4800 system all meet requirements of the United States (FDA) and the European standards. In addition to SARS-COV-2 testing, the system also measures viral load of HIV and hepatitis B/hepatitis C, determines HPV genotypes, performs predictive genetic testing and tests for other pathogens causing dangerous infectious diseases such as influenza, Zika, SARS, etc.

Mr. Phan Dinh Tham – Sonadezi’s CEO addressed at the handover ceremony for real-time PCR testing system

Speaking at the handover ceremony for the real-time PCR testing system, Mr. Phan Dinh Tham – Sonadezi’s CEO said: “Given complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to join hands with the local government, especially the health authority, in responding to the pandemic, Sonadezi and its subsidiaries procured this real-time PCR testing system to expedite testing for Covid-19 and many other diseases in the province. In the months to come, Sonadezi will further support local pubic health initiatives, including its pro-poor medical expense assistance program and is planning to donate ventilators to be installed at Dong Nai General Hospital”.

According to Mr. Bach Thai Binh – Director of Dong Nai CDC, in the face of Covid-19 outbreaks, it has performed PCR testing and formally approved by the Ministry of Health to perform SARS-CoV-2 confirmatory tests. However, its system is outdated, requiring manual performance of certain testing steps that leads to slow delivery of results, complicated operating procedures, testing workers’ potential exposure to the virus and low daily testing capacity to be able to meet the requirements during large-scale outbreaks. Therefore, the donation of such an advanced system to the Center is absolutely valuable.

Mr. Bach Thai Binh – Director of Dong Nai CDC was speaking with the press on the donation of the real-time PCR testing system

“The real-time PCR testing system donated by Sonadezi can handle up to 2,000 samples/24 hours, which is 4-5 times higher than the current system installed at the CDC while the maximum daily volume of group samples can be as high as 8,000. In addition, this new system also helps reduce human resources and testing workers’ exposure to the virus while expediting screening. With this system, the CDC is enable to deploy more advanced techniques to better meet COVID-19 prevention requirements and meet medical and health care needs in the province,” said Mr. Bach Thai Binh.

Dr. Phan Huy Anh Vu – Director of Dong Nai Department of Health was delivering a speech

At the handover ceremony, Dr. Phan Huy Anh Vu – Director of Dong Nai Department of Health thanked Sonadezi for donating the real-time PCR testing system to Dong Nai province to serve its Covid-19 prevention. He added: “Dong Nai currently has 3 centers licensed by the Ministry of Health to perform SARS-CoV-2 confirmatory testing, but their testing capacity is lower than expected and their system is a bit old. Therefore, the Department of Health is pleased to know that Sonadezi and its subsidiaries donated a real-time PCR testing system worth VND 5 billion. This is now one of the most advanced systems in the world. It is requested that Dong Nai CDC employ the system in the most effective manner. And hopefully, triggered by Sonadezi’s donation, many other businesses will join hands and provide their supports in other provinces in the COVID-19 prevention and control.”

Leaders of Dong Nai Department of Health, Dong Nai CDC and Sonadezi were examining the real-time PCR testing system