Korea donates testing kits to Jamaica

The Republic of Korea donated testing kits worth US$300,000 aimed at helping in Jamaica’s fight against the coronavirus.

The supplies include Kogene Biotech: AddPrep Viral Nucleic Acid Extraction Kits for 20,000 tests and 20,000 tests of PowerChek SARS-CoV-2 Real-time PCR Kits.

The items were handed over officially on Tuesday by Lim Baejin, Charge d’Affaires, the Republic of Korea in Jamaica, to Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, the Minister of Wellness and Health of Jamaica, and Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the offices of the Ministry of Health, in New Kingston.

Before this, the Government of Korea, donated two real-time PCR Systems for testing and analysis, real-time PCR Sample Kits for testing 7,500 samples, DNA/RNA Sample Kits capable of testing 7,500 samples in collaboration with the Korea East-West Power Company, to the Government of Jamaica.

Dr Tufton said that the supplies provided by the Korean Government are “gold standard” and added that the response to the pandemic in Jamaica could be successful through such partnerships.

Dr Tufton said on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica that he thanks the people and the Government of Korea for their generosity and support to Jamaica in the efforts of fighting COVID-19.

He said that COVID-19 response had shown them that it needs a lot of resource mobilisation to finance the COVID-19 response plans.

So, he added that for protecting public health and the health of the vulnerable communities in Jamaica.

Minister Johnson Smith expressed her gratitude and said that as they continue their efforts to protect the people of Jamaica from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Jamaica is grateful that the country is not alone in this fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jamaica and the Republic of Korea share strong diplomatic relationships for over 50 years.