Thailand's Department of Medical Sciences has sent its rapid malaria test kit to the World Health Organization to receive quality certification before being marketed worldwide, a Public Health Ministry senior official recently announced, the Thai News Service reports.

The malaria test kit was developed by Thai researchers and can provide a diagnosis within 15 minutes, Medical Sciences Department Director-General Manit Teeratantikanont said. According to Manit, the kit uses a rapid immunochromatographic method to detect malaria antigens in the blood. Results have shown that the kit has high sensitivity and can be used for laboratory and field studies, the Thai News Service reports.

Manit said that the kit will be helpful for community hospitals, general hospitals and clinics. It also could be used to test high-risk populations, including migrant workers and people living along Thailand's border regions.

Manit said the certification likely will take about six months, after which the kit will be marketed internationally. The kit currently is being tested in Angola, Brazil, India and Myanmar.

Source-Kaiser Family Foundation
SRM/M