Ling (second from right) receiving a test kit from Fadly (third from left). Looking on are Harjit (second from left) and Norliza (fourth from left).
YAYASAN Sultan Ibrahim Johor (YSIJ) and test kit manufacturer MonitorBio Group Sdn Bhd contributed 3,000 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kits to the state Education Department for the benefit of schoolchildren and teachers.
The Malaysian-made saliva PCR test kits were presented by YSIJ chief executive officer Fadly Suffian Laili and MonitorBio Group executive chairman Datuk Harjit Singh to Johor health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon in Kota Iskandar.
“We are grateful to the Sultan for the donation to the people of Johor, especially teachers and students.
“This is a good initiative that can help curb the spread of Covid-19 in learning institutions,” said Ling.
He said the test kits handed over to the Education Department would be distributed to schools.
“The PCR test kits will allow schools to better manage the spread of Covid-19 among teachers and students.
“It is very user-friendly and is the first of its kind produced by a Malaysian company,” he said.
Harjit said the saliva test kits were widely used in Western countries and MonitorBio was the first producer of the product in Malaysia, having received approvals from Medical Device Authority (MDA).
“We hope the test kits can help reduce the spread of Covid-19, especially among schoolchildren who can potentially spread the disease to their families, including the elderly.
“The saliva test kit is suitable for children as using it is not painful. “Our PCR test kits are also user-friendly and help save time and cost,” he said.
“As we move forward, Covid-19 screening and test kits play an important role in our lives.
“As such, it is important to have user-friendly and affordable PCR test kits that are accurate,” he said, adding that the scientist behind the development of the product was Malaysian Dr Patrick Goo.
Also present at the handover ceremony was state education, information and communications committee chairman Norliza Noh, state health director Datuk Dr Aman Rabu and state Education Department deputy director Shahilon Abd Halim.
