KUALA LUMPUR: Key Alliance Group Bhd (KAG) wholly-owned subsidiary, Key Alliance Sdn Bhd (KASB) had recently received the power of attorney and was appointed as local representative for the Korea-based ITDF Co, Ltd to market and distribute Wells Bio Inc's Care Gene Covid-19 real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test kit in Malaysia.
KAG managing director Ho Yew Kee said testing of Covid-19 remains to be the primary shield against the spread of Covid-19 pandemic which is ravaging Malaysia and worldwide.
"Care Gene Covid-19 test kit is a molecular diagnostic test which detects the presence of the virus in a person's swab sample, using the RT-PCR.
"It is a direct virus test indicating whether an active infection of Covid-19 is present," he said in a statement.
In comparison, Covid-19 blood test detects only the presence of viral antibodies which indicates that a patient has developed antibodies as a result of a Covid-19 infection, but doesn't tell whether the infection is current or in the past, such as an indirect test.
Therefore, PCR test kits are more accurate and officially preferred by Malaysia's MOH than other rapid or antibody test kits, as mentioned in a news released on 8 May 2020, Ho noted.
With the power of attorney, KAG can begin engaging the relevant regulators and authorities in Malaysia to register the PCR test kit for import, marketing and sales and distribution locally.
"With the current situation of Covid-19, reaching a potential second wave internationally, testing requirements are expected to balloon in the coming months. Whilst the government has actively sought to provide adequate testing facilities and resources to the general public, there has to be increased participation from the private sector to fight against this deadly virus, if the economy is to be returned to normalcy as soon as possible," said Ho.
He said currently, there is a shortage of the RT-PCR test kits globally.
"Any additional supply of the test kits will definitely improve the quantum of testing in our public healthcare system, which is currently focused on specific high-risk groups and those who have contact with confirmed Covid-19 cases in suspected clusters and enhanced movement control order (EMCO) areas, as well as our citizens after returning from overseas," Ho said.
These test kits can also help individuals who are not classified as high-risk group by our public healthcare system, but wish to be tested in the private hospitals and labs.
"We would also be able to ease the shortage of test kits for the compliance to our local standard operating procedures (SOP) which require frequent Covid-19 testing of millions of workers nationwide.
"With government sanctioned operations at almost full capacity, the onus should fall on the private sector to assist providing safer environments for their customers and employees as part of their corporate social responsibility," Ho said.
The increased availability of these test kits will also help the private sector to have immediate accessibility should they require continuous testing to maintain business continuity.
KAG had in the past few months mobilised its existing Internet of Things (IoT) and software partners to implement a Post MCO Business Reboot strategy, coupling existing technologies into an integrated cloud platform for more automation, digitisation and integrity of data storage for businesses looking to start up operations in this new paradigm to co-exist with Covid-19 pandemic.
By inking this arrangement, KAG is able to offer an end-to-end approach for business mobilisation and continuity in this current environment of the new normal.
KAG will immediately move to affect the registration of the test kits for import and distribution, as demand for PCR test kits are expected to surge if a second wave of Covid 19 hits.
This unique opportunity allows KAG to analyse firsthand the commercial viability of diversifying its mainstream technology business into digital healthcare, with diagnostic equipment trading, digital medical platforms, hospital grade IoT sensors and big data collection as a segue of its current focus.