Unsrat Laboratory Asked to Help Handling Covid 19 Detection

Lp, Unsrat Laboratory Asked to Help Handling Covid 19 Detection // PCR Test, Can Sample 300-500 per Day // Monday, 1 June 2020

The GOVERNOR of North Sulawesi, Olly Dondokambey asked Sam Ratulangi University (Unsrat) to continue to assist the handling of the Covid 19 pandemic. This was stated during a video conference meeting zoom discussing the handling of the Covid19 pandemic with the Chancellor of Sam Ratulangi University Prof Dr Ir Ellen Joan Kumaat MSc DEA, Monday (( 1/6/2020).

On that occasion, Governor Olly appreciated Unsrat's support in handling Covid-19. According to Olly, based on discussions some time ago with the Chancellor of Unsrat that the facilities at Unsrat could be improved to assist in the examination of Covid-19 samples. "Our thanks are of course to Unsrat who continue to help, and indeed we have lacked equipment to accelerate the handling of Covid 19. Until now there are only two laboratories, namely at Prof Kandou Hospital and one at the Ministry of Health's central office. For the Ministry of Health's central office in Mapanget, it becomes an obstacle because it has to be a regional area in the eastern region, North Maluku and its surroundings so that the existing PCR results accumulate even though a day he can complete around 80-90 samples. Likewise, RSUP Kandou is very limited because it has not been maximized,” said Olly.

However, I am grateful that in discussions with the Chancellor of Unsrat, Prof. Ellen Kumaat, it turned out that Unsrat had a laboratory that could be used for PCR. "Unsrat can actually help for PCR, just push it a little and can be used. I will talk to the ranks in the provincial government as soon as we push this laboratory so that it can be used so that we can accelerate the detection of COVID-19 symptoms in the people of North Sulawesi," he added.

Meanwhile, Unsrat Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Ir Ellen Joan Kumaat MSc DEA revealed that so far Unsrat has a laboratory that can be used for PCR or polymerase chain reaction. “If used, it can detect 300-500 samples per day. Of course, this will greatly assist in taking medical action for patients suspected of being infected with COVID 19," he explained. Kumaat hopes that the Unsrat laboratory can be utilized through support and collaboration with the North Sulawesi Provincial Government. "Essentially, we are ready to help local governments with the facilities we have, with the hope that this assistance can accelerate the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Kumaat.