KUBANG KERIAN, KELANTAN, 26 April 2020 – The Microbiology and Parasitology Laboratory of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) which has similar advanced facilities as those at the Institute for Medical Research (IMR), has been selected among the ten public university managed labs in Malaysia to conduct the COVID-19 detection test.

This is due to the increase in COVID-19 cases and the Ministry of Health (MOH) needs all the support that they could get from various parties to help increase the country’s daily testing capacity for COVID-19.

The Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) are also working together to identify and select diagnostic laboratories which are capable of conducting such test in addition to existing laboratories under the MOH.

Head of the Microbiology and Parasitology Department at the USM School of Medical Sciences (PPSP), Professor Dr. Zakuan Zainy Deris explained that prior to receiving instructions from MOH and MOSTI, he was given the responsibility and a duration of two weeks by the Hospital USM management to ensure that the infrastructure and facilities at the lab were adequate for conducting COVID-19 test.

“We had expected that the Microbiology and Parasitology Laboratory would be selected by the ministry based not only on the capabilities in terms of having the necessary equipment but also on having experienced and trained staff in handling the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test methods.

“This RT-PCR method has been used for the detection of other viruses in our laboratory, and this method was also used to diagnose the presence of COVID-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2.

"On 26 March, the first COVID-19 test was conducted and 15 samples received from the USM Hospital screening counter were successfully tested, even though it was a week earlier than the original date given to us," he said.

There are two stages in the COVID-19 test; the first stage involves the extraction of nucleic acids in the virus either manually or using the 'Automatic Extractor' machine and the second stage is called 'Amplification' using the ABI 7500 machine.

So far, in the Microbiology and Parasitology Laboratory, the ABI 7500 machine has been used to test 80 samples in one round and is capable of doing two rounds per day while the BioRad machine is readied to take over in case the ABI 7500 machine encounters a problem.

Zakuan added, if the demand to run the test exceeds the capacity limits, emergency cases will be given priority as opposed to other cases. This is part of USM's efforts to help alleviate MOH's workload while continuing to forge ahead in the field of research and management of COVID-19 patients.

“Currently, there are 20 staff comprising Medical Laboratory Technologists, Science Officers and Research Officers conducting the COVID-19 detection tests and most of them are well-versed in RT-PCR testing.

“Furthermore, USM also emphasised on the safety aspects, and has sent the staff involved for training at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZ II) and the Public Health Laboratory,” he added, while indicating that the number of staff will be increased in the near future depending on the demand for such testing.

Meanwhile, Noor Asmaliza Abdullah, who has 17 years of experience as a Medical Laboratory Technologist (JTMP), found the task of conducting the COVID-19 detection test quite challenging and demanding.

Having been involved in the detection tests during the SARS epidemic, she has undergone training at HRPZ II and the Public Health Laboratory in Perol, and looking at the emphasis of the safety aspects in place, she is confident and feels safe to conduct the COVID-19 test.

To her, what is important is to curb the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak and to achieve this, every Malaysian must be cooperative, disciplined and obedient during these difficult times.

Make sure to stay home and let's make all the frontliners' jobs easier by abiding by the rules and instructions of the Movement Control Order (MCO).

Text: Nabella Ridhuan Lau & Tan Ewe Hoe