Project news 4 : Strengthening Testing Capacity for Diagnostics (Provision of Equipment)

The project to strengthen the capacity for early warning response to infectious diseases was officially launched in June 2021, but there were still obstacles to dispatch of experts and implementation of activities due to the still strong impact of Covid-19. On the other hand, the project had plans to install the necessary equipment in regional public laboratories to increase their capacity to test for the target diseases. The need to strengthen laboratory capacity for COVID-19 diagnostics was also in the agenda, and the need to increase the laboratory's equipment was part of the capacity building.

Therefore, after discussions with the Ministry of Health the provision of equipment to the Center for Health and Environmental Technology (BTKL/BBTKL) was facilitated. The laboratories that were provided with equipment are the eight BTKL/BBTKL laboratories that are responsible for the regions in Indonesia: Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Banjar Baru, Makassar, Batam, Ambon, and Medan.

Real Time PCR, Automated PCR Extraction, Bio-safety Cabinet, Centrifuge, Vortex Mixer, Spin down, Deep Freezer, and Micropipette set equipment were provided according to the needs of each laboratory. The equipment was delivered between June 2021 and February 2022, and was tested and staff trained. The total cost of these provided equipment through JICA EWARS Project is Rp.15,936,970,960. The equipment is also being used for diagnostics of Covid-19.