PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk handed over aid worth Rp1.85 billion to UGM in the form of 1 unit of Extractor Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) machine and 2000 PCR Test Reagents to help tackle the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in Indonesia.
Moh Hisyam, as the Head of Region BNI Yogyakarta Regional Office, said that the aid worth Rp1.85 billion was collected as a contribution to overcoming Covid-19. Previously, various assistance was also given to several hospitals, such as PCR reagents to Sardjito Hospital.
“Thanks to UGM as our partner for receiving assistance and carrying out our duties to jointly tackle the transmission of Covid-19,” said Hisyam at the UGM Hall on Tuesday (27/10).
On this opportunity, UGM Chancellor, Prof. Panut Mulyono expressed his appreciation and gratitude to BNI, which has provided aid during the pandemic numerous times. “We will make the best use of this assistance,” he said.
In his remarks, the UGM Chancellor revealed that the assistance of PCR reagents is needed to examine the data collection and mapping of patients infected with Covid. The current covid PCR detection tool is a trusted tool to determine whether someone is infected with Covid-19 or not. However, UGM has also developed a Covid-19 detection tool through a breath sample called GeNose, which is currently stepping to its final testing stage. “Hopefully, the cost per test will be much cheaper,” he said.
Source: https://www.ugm.ac.id/id/berita/20278-bni-serahkan-bantuan-mesin-rna-dan-reagen-pcr-test-ke-ugm
