KUALA LUMPUR: The availability of Covid-19 self-test kits in Malaysia has allowed for the public to detect if they are infected with the virus.
However, an expert said focus must be given on the way to discard these self-test kits in order to prevent the virus from spreading inadvertently through unsafe waste disposal methods.
Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, who is a Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) community health physician from its Faculty of Medicine, said manufacturers of these self-test kits would usually include intructions for proper disposal of their products.
"Consumers are advised to put the used Covid-19 self-test kits into the plastic bag provided, fasten it and dispose off the kit in a domestic waste bin.
"This is because improper disposal will endanger other people if the individual that used the kits were detected to be Covid-19 positive because the test kits would have the person's saliva specimen," she told Harian Metro today.
Dr Sharifa Ezat said preferably, the used kits should be disposed of via incineration, or by spraying disinfectant or chlorine liquid before it is put into the (plastic) packaging that is provided.
She was asked to comment on some opinions on how it may be possible that cleaners or general workers in waste management might be at risk of Covid-19 infection if these self-test kits were not disposed of based on Health Ministry safety guidelines.
These test kits, which were conditionally approved by the Medical Device Authority (MDA) for Covid-19 antigens detection through oral fluid samples or nasal swabs, can be obtained at public and private facilities.
Initially, these kits were sold at RM39.90 per set, before the government set the maximum retail price at RM19.90 per set, while the wholesale price was set at RM16 per set, starting Sept 5.
When asked about the irresponsible 'dumping' or littering of these self-test kits, especially after regular Covid-19 tests were made mandatory for manufacturing sector workers, Dr Sharifa Ezat said such parties should utilise clinical waste disposal services to throw away the used kits.
She said this could prevent the used kits from being discarded in domestic waste bins, which could potentially endanger others.
"If there are 100 factory workers who underwent a screening test and almost half were tested positive for Covid-19, then it will be dangerous for any other individuals exposed to the used self-test kits.
"Therefore, manufacturers should appoint a clinical waste management company to dispose of these used test kits safely," she said.