SEATTLE– Audere, a digital health nonprofit developing solutions to improve global health, announced its partnership with Medical Diagnostech, a developer and manufacturer of lateral flow rapid diagnostic test kits. The partnership will pair Medical Diagnostech’s MD SARS-nCoV-2 Antigen Device1, the first test manufactured in Africa to receive South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) approval late last year, with Audere’s HealthPulse digital companion app.
Audere’s HealthPulse digital companion app will enhance the end user experience, making testing easier and more accurate by providing digital administration instructions and unbiased result interpretation support powered by artificial intelligence. The solution will also improve public health reporting by digitizing the use of rapid tests and results, while seamlessly integrating with public health reporting systems. Access to aggregated test data will provide a comprehensive understanding of disease prevalence, enabling more informed surveillance and disease management.
“As a South African, I have first-hand experience with the test inequity challenges faced by individuals in my country. I feel extreme pride to partner with Medical Diagnostech and support the roll-out of a COVID-19 rapid test made on the continent, for the continent. The increased public health reporting capabilities enabled by digitizing rapid diagnostic test result data are crucial to South Africa’s evolving public health strategy.”
– Dr. Dino Rech, CEO, Audere
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Technology Innovation Agency and Department of Science and Innovation, launched an initiative in 2020 to improve the country’s self-sufficiency and reduce its reliance on foreign pandemic supplies by stimulating research and development of COVID-19 solutions, including investments in local diagnostics. Testing inequity has been a prominent issue across Africa, as all COVID-19 tests have been manufactured off the continent to date, resulting in trade imbalance. Medical Diagnostech’s COVID-19 rapid test is manufactured in Africa and designed for the African market, which will increase availability and affordability, while boosting the economy and promoting more equitable access to testing.
“I am passionate about developing African solutions for African problems – and feel proud of our team for creating and delivering our testing solution to Africa. I am a firm believer that innovation must answer the challenges of the day, and I am eager to pair our rapid test with Audere’s companion app to improve Africa’s pandemic surveillance and response. This is a huge step forward in the direction of ensuring Africa’s self-sufficiency in its approach to global health.”
– Ashley Uys, Founder and CEO, Medical Diagnostech
