THE HEALTH | JULY-AUGUST , 2022

BY KHIRTINI K KUMARAN

As such , labs need to provide Covid-19 PCR testing services by offering delivery services to collect nasal and oral samples self-collected by users at their doorstep and send them back to the lab for further testing for confirmation of the disease .

Thus , there is no need for the public to step out of their house . And more people are now aware and capable of using the at-home self-collection kit as this is widely accepted to be used by public in overseas .

Realising the benefits of the home self-collection method and the rise in public awareness , Vivantis Technologies Sdn Bhd ( Vivantis ) launched the Vivanpop Nasal and Oral Home Self Collection Kit ( Vivanpop ), under the VivanMed brand . It is a painless and convenient way for the public to do their required Rt-PCR tests without stepping out from home .

First in Malaysia

“ The ‘ Vivanpop Nasal and Oral Home Self Collection Kit ’ is the first at-home dual swab self-collection kit manufactured in Malaysia . This kit is not limited to Coronavirus ( Covid-19 ) PCR testing but can also work for RT-PCR tests of other human and viral genome such as Influenza Like Illness ( ILI ), including Influenza A / B and Hand , Foot and Mouth Disease ( HFMD ),” said Vivantis ’ s Production and R & D department Lab Manager , Teoh Hui Kee .

“ The public can purchase the kits and use them when there is a need for PCR testing . They self-collect the samples at home , contact our lab service partner , and wait for the arranged rider to collect them and send to the appointed lab .”

Vivantis , she said , is currently working with Spygene Laboratories Sdn Bhd ( Spygene ) to provide the downstream

Abdul Rahman Wahiduddin

RT-PCR testing service for Vivanpop . With a home self-collection kit , users can save time without queuing at a clinic or health facility . It also allows sample collections anytime , anywhere , as long as the collected samples are arranged to be delivered to the appointed lab partner on the same day .

“ Vivanpop Kit is designed to give convenience to everyone to have an Rt-PCR test without the need to go to clinics or labs ,” added Spygene ’ s CEO Abdul Rahman Wahiduddin .

“ They need to contact us to get their selfcollected sample picked up . This way , users can avoid being in crowded and contagious places , be contactless and can get their e-results within the specified time .”

Convenient and easy to use

Vivanpop is approved by the Medical Device Authority ( MDA ) Malaysia , which requires the manufacturer to strictly follow all the requirements and regulations .

“ Vivanpop emphasises dual swabs to collect samples from nasal ( inner wall of nose ) and oral ( deep throat ). Dual swabs can also work for other respiratory viruses ’ detection ,” explained Teoh .

The kit is convenient and easy to use , and an Instruction for Use ( IFU ) sheet is provided for guidance .

“ The key is to follow the IFU provided together with the kit . So , with proper care , correct sampling method , and proper storage , the sample collected will be secured and safe for transportation and delivery to lab ,” assured Rahman .

Regarding concerns about transporting biohazard samples , Teoh explained that the kit has an inactivating transport medium ( ITM ) to inactivate the spread of the contagious virus . The collected specimen can be stored and transported in an ITM tube at ambient temperature . Therefore , the sample integrity will be maintained at ambient temperature within a week .

She added : “ There are components supplied within the kit to ease the sample collection and protect samples without the leakage and contagious issues during transport .” They are :

• Swabs for nasal and oral in sterile packaging for sample collection ;

• Inactivating transport medium ( ITM ) tube for transportation and preservation of clinical specimen ;

• A parafilm to seal the tube body and cap ;

• Providing a biohazard bag to have the sample tube kept ; and

• A box which acts as an extra layer to keep the biohazard bag containing sample tube during transportation .

Partners and expansion

Rahman shared : “ We are working hard to offer more test panels to the public with Vivanpop and hope it will be accepted as the new way of testing and monitoring .

Spygene , he said , is one of MoH ’ s panel labs and has a high standard of testing to ensure samples are treated carefully . The lab results will be sent to the user ’ s email as e-results . This way , users can receive their results anywhere at any time .

Teoh added : “ We look forward to working with any testing lab similar to Spygene . Testing lab partners can send their letters of interest via email to info @ vivantechnologies . com .” — The Health

The public can purchase the kits and use them when there is a need for PCR testing . They self-collect the samples at home , contact our lab service partner , and wait for the arranged rider to collect them and send to the appointed lab .”

— Teoh Hui Kee