Published on 01.29.2022 at 00:18 by APA
Researchers from the MAScIR Foundation have developed a molecular test for tuberculosis screening, the first 100% Moroccan diagnostic test. The new molecular test for tuberculosis screening “Made in Morocco” has the advantage of being precise and fast delivering results in 30 minutes, the MAScIR Foundation announced in a statement on Friday.
Called MAScIR TB SS-LAMP, this test has been validated by the Pasteur Institute of Morocco and registered with the Department of Medicines and Pharmacy under the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
Coupled with a mobile and connected digital device (Rapid-LoopAmp-12), also developed by the Foundation’s teams, the new test “constitutes a solution that facilitates diagnosis as close as possible to patients at a controlled cost”, a solution currently in the process of CE labeling.
Nawal Chraibi, director general of the Mascir foundation, declared that “Morocco is committed to a policy of reducing the number of deaths linked to this disease, but this objective will only be achieved through equitable access to diagnosis to prevention and quality treatment and care”.
“The traditional methods for diagnosing tuberculosis often have limitations relating to time (up to 8 weeks, editor’s note), which leads to late treatment of the patient with a risk of contamination during this period”, he added. she adds.
According to the general manager, “there are faster tests but unfortunately these are solutions that we import and which are expensive. This is why Mascir has developed and perfected a 100% Moroccan diagnostic kit which will allow identification in 30 minutes”.
This test has been validated by the Pasteur Institute of Morocco and registered with the Directorate of Medicines and Pharmacy under the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, recalls the same source.
Regarding access to the device, Chraibi says it will be available in the most remote regions of the Kingdom.
In Morocco, tuberculosis remains a significant public health problem with more than 29,000 new cases detected in 2020.
Created in 2007, the Mascir Foundation, which comes under the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, aims to promote and develop technological research centers in the fields of materials and nanomaterials, biotechnology, microelectronics, and life sciences. life.
