Malaysian telemedicine provider DOC2US has recently introduced a diagnostic system that enables rapid COVID-19 testing at home.

WHAT IT DOES

The Rapid Test Kit Intelligent System (RTKis) empowers corporations and public agencies to test, record, manage and report COVID-19 cases. 

According to a press statement, the solution features a government-approved antigen test kit that allows users to self-test for COVID-19 at home. Presently, it is paired with the Gmate Saliva Antigen Test Kit that is imported exclusively by medical products distributor CityMedic. The antigen test shows 91% sensitivity as accredited by the Institute for Medical Research.

DOC2US CTO Tan Aik-Keong noted that users can only access the RTKis system through a unique QR code. The platform also verifies a user's phone number and ID and validates their testing process through photo taking and video recording.

Results are also validated through the system using artificial intelligence. Tan said the system uses an "image classification engine with machine learning" to identify the test result based on the uploaded test kit photo.

Should it find a positive test report, the RTKis uploads it to the Public Health Laboratory Information System, which is also synchronised with the government's contract tracing app MySejahtera.

WHY IT MATTERS

DOC2US said in its statement that its latest platform provides a "cost-effective, credible and convenient means" to comply with the Ministry of International Trade & Industry's (MITI) guidelines for organisations permitted to operate under the second phase of the government's National Recovery Plan. During this phase, employees are required to be screened for COVID-19 twice before they can return to their offices and twice per week thereafter. 

Moreover, the system uses AI to minimise potential fraud associated with at-home or self-testing.

MARKET SNAPSHOT

As more Asian economies reopen, population testing remains crucial to keep COVID-19 from spreading. Like DOC2US, Taiwanese mobile health firm iXensor created an end-to-end fully digitalised rapid screening solution that can be scaled for large screening. Within 15 minutes, the diagnostic solution can provide the user's results via a QR code.

Point-of-care use of Cue Health's molecular-based rapid test, which can deliver results after 20 minutes, has also been approved in India.

ON THE RECORD

"With most businesses suffering loss[es] in revenue due to the lockdowns, it is critical to provide a credible solution that is convenient and economical, thus enabling allowed sectors to resume their activities while complying with the MITI guidelines," DOC2US CEO Dr Raymond Choy said.