Nigeria has reportedly developed a Covid-19 test kit that shows results in less than 40 minutes. Health Minister Olurunimbe Mamora said it was much faster and 10 times cheaper than the PCR testing method currently being used.

While the test kit has raised hopes of boosting the country’s low testing rate – Nigeria has so far tested just over 500 000 people out of its population of around 200 million -the BBC reports that it is yet to be approved by regulatory bodies.

The test kit, known as SARS-COV-2 Isothermal Molecular Assay was developed by Nigeria’s Institute of Medical Research. Boss Mustapha, who heads Nigeria’s Covid-19 response task force, said the kit was Nigeria’s contribution to the global fight against the pandemic through scientific research.

According to the country’s health authorities, the test kits will be distributed to communities as soon as a ‘validation process’ is completed.

With the number of daily confirmed infections declining, Nigeria has recorded more than 58 000 coronavirus cases, and more than 1 000 related deaths.

Umm Muhammed Umar