Month: November 2023

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bioLytical Laboratories Inc. Donates Tests to Help Boost International Testing Access Ahead of International Testing Week

bioLytical Laboratories Inc., in partnership with NGO Coalition Plus, Leads the Charge to Promote the Importance of Rapid Testing during International Test Week with the Donation of Rapid Tests Worldwide

  • bioLytical, in partnership with NGO Coalition PLUS, has donated over 8,000 rapid tests across 25 countries and partner organizations
  • bioLytical is a Canadian company that develops and manufactures all its tests locally for worldwide distribution
  • bioLytical’s INSTI® platform of rapid tests is designed to detect a wide range of infectious diseases quickly and accurately
  • bioLytical’s quality system is MDSAP: ISO 13485 certified
  • Coalition PLUS is a global NGO, an international union of community-based associations that work to help fight HIV/AIDS and hepatitis

RICHMOND, British Columbia, Nov. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — bioLytical Laboratories Inc. (“bioLytical”), a global leader in rapid in-vitro medical diagnostics and partner Coalition PLUS, a global NGO, announced that together, they have donated and distributed over 8,000 tests across 25 countries to help boost testing access worldwide.

International Testing Week, scheduled for November 22- 28 this year, helps raise awareness of the importance of accessible testing for individual and public health. As one of the vital tools to help connect people to care and to reduce the spread of onward infection, boosting access to testing is critical in the fight to end severe public health challenges such as HIV and hepatitis.

The pandemic has demonstrated the importance of equitable access to rapid and accurate diagnostic testing to curb the spread of infectious diseases. Timely and efficient testing not only saves lives but also assists in minimizing the societal and economic impact of outbreaks.

As part of our commitment and in support of International Testing Week, bioLytical and Coalition PLUS are proud to play a global role in increasing access to testing, reaffirming their dedication to ending some of the world’s most severe health challenges.

Robert Mackie, CEO, bioLytical, emphasizes the significance of International Testing Week and states, “International Testing Week serves as a global reminder of the critical role rapid testing plays in safeguarding public health. It is a time to raise awareness about the necessity of early detection, which ultimately contributes to the overall health of communities worldwide. We are proud to support this cause through test donations and to be part of the solution.”

By donating these tests, bioLytical and Coalition PLUS aim to address the disparities in healthcare access and testing capabilities worldwide. Increasing equitable access to testing helps empower healthcare providers with the tools to identify infection and provide care and treatment quickly.

Dr. Bintou Dembele, Vice Chair, Coalition PLUS, says, “Community testing for HIV and STIs helps find undiagnosed people often belonging to hard-to-reach populations. The International Testing Week aims at highlighting outreach interventions that are critical to addressing the remaining gaps to end the HIV epidemic.”

bioLytical Laboratories Inc. is an industry leader in manufacturing rapid in vitro diagnostic tests focusing on infectious diseases with a global mission to ensure every person has access to accurate and reliable tests to learn their status, faster.

Coalition PLUS is an international union of community-based associations in the fight against HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis created in 2008, operating in 52 countries and alongside some one hundred civil society organizations. They promote innovative methods adapted to the individuals facing the most discrimination in access to healthcare.

In addition to its commitment to International Testing Week, bioLytical continues to innovate and develop cutting-edge diagnostic solutions to meet the ever-evolving needs of the healthcare sector. bioLytical remains dedicated to fostering a healthier, safer, and more connected world through the innovation of rapid diagnostics. By distributing these tests to underserved areas, we hope to facilitate early detection, helping healthcare providers and governments better manage and mitigate the impact of these diseases.

bioLytical Laboratories Inc. is a privately-owned Canadian company focused on researching, developing, and commercializing rapid in-vitro medical diagnostics using its proprietary INSTI® technology platform and its lateral flow line, iStatis. bioLytical has won several local and industry awards, including B.C. Exporter of the Year in 2019. We have been named Lifesciences B.C.’s Growth Stage Med Tech Company of the Year and featured on B.C.’s Fastest-Growing Companies for seven years, including the Globe and Mail’s Fastest Growing Companies list in 2020. bioLytical moved to a significantly larger, state-of-the-art facility in Richmond, B.C., in 2020 to accommodate the extraordinary growth achieved through our team. Providing accurate results in one minute or less, the INSTI® range includes the INSTI® HIV-1/HIV-2 Antibody Test, INSTI® Multiplex HIV Syphilis Ab Test, INSTI® HIV Self Test, INSTI® Covid-19 Antibody Test, and the INSTI® HCV Antibody Test. bioLytical sells its products in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Asia. In 2022, bioLytical launched iStatis, its new lateral flow testing platform, to create additional access to testing worldwide.

By delivering accurate results in real-time, INSTI® and iStatis generate meaningful outcomes for medical professionals, patients, and public health organizations worldwide and is a key partner in tackling some of the world’s most severe healthcare challenges. Please visit www.istatis.com and www.insti.com, and www.biolytical.com for more information.

Media Contact
Stephanie Ritchie, Communications Specialist, bioLytical
[email protected]
+1-778-238-9340

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8983966

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Samuel laments fights in public enterprises’ boardrooms


The chairperson of the Public Enterprises CEO Forum, Fluksman Samuel, has lamented the poor working relationship between the executives and the boards of public enterprises, saying the government needs to appoint competent individuals.

He made the statement at the opening of the second public enterprises conference at the Gross Barmen resort on Wednesday, saying the government, the board, and the executive management should work together to ensure a professional and cordial working relationship.

‘I would like to state that all is not well in the public enterprise sector. We do share our moments of joy and sorrow. Of particular concern are the ongoing reports of poor working relations between some boards and their respective accounting officers,’ Samuel said.

He noted that there are ‘pockets of boards and their respective chief executive officers who do not see eye to eye.’

‘It is unfortunate that some discussions in corporate boardrooms are characterised by antagonism, tension, conflict, and an endless t
ug of war. This state of affairs has the potential to derail progress in the public enterprise sector,’ said Samuel, who is chief executive officer of the Lderitz Waterfront.

In his address to the top management of public enterprises at the beginning of their three-day conference, Samuel emphasised the importance of a good relationship between the board of directors and the accounting officers.

‘I am pleased to note that this matter forms part of the topics to be discussed at this conference. It is hoped that we will reflect deeply, look at the underlying causes of poor working relationships, and come up with remedial actions,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Samuel called on the government ‘to appoint men and women of substance’ who are ‘fit and proper’ to the boards of public enterprises.

He further called on the government to assume an ‘activist role’ in the induction phase of the newly appointed boards before the beginning of their oversight functions.

‘It is critical that the appointing authority spell out clea
rly the roles and responsibilities of public enterprise boards, including providing strategic leadership and creating a favourable environment for public institutions to achieve their respective mandates,’ he said.

Finance and Public Enterprises Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, whose ministry facilitates the appointment of most boards, said his ministry is working to create better governance in public enterprises.

Shiimi, who also addressed the conference, said they have started strengthening the recruitment process to get the best talent on the boards of public enterprises.

‘There is a recruitment system in place, but it does not always yield good results,’ Shiimi said, adding that the ministry is building capacity.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

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Toddler dies after alleged assault by aunt


The police in the Omusati Region have arrested a 40-year-old woman following the death of her two-year-old niece at Okafitukakuni village.

This was confirmed by Namibian Police Force Regional Commander, Commissioner Ismael Basson, on Wednesday.

Basson said the suspect allegedly assaulted Susan Noongo with a dry palm stick around 14h00 on Tuesday and she suffered a broken right arm and fell unconscious.

‘It is further alleged that at around 18h00, the suspect put the deceased in a baby carrier and took her to the Omahenene clinic, where the child was declared dead by the nurses,’ he said.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Outapi Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

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Oshana Region to host first-ever street market


The Oshana Regional Council will host its first ever street market from 07 to 09 December 2023, saying the event will create a platform for socio-economic development.

Council spokesperson Elly Ashikoto told Nampa on Wednesday the event will take place at the Eheke settlement in the Ondangwa Rural Constituency.

Ashikoto said the Oshana Street Market Day is also aimed at celebrating the spirit of entrepreneurship and community collaboration.

During the market, a wide array of products and services offered by local entrepreneurs and community members will be showcased.

‘Visitors can expect a bustling marketplace featuring a rich tapestry of artisanal crafts, delicious culinary delights, innovative inventions, and various unique products brought forth by talented individuals from the Oshana Region,’ she said.

In addition to the community businesses, Ashikoto indicated that the event will offer a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with corporate stands set up to provide information on public service
s.

It is hoped that participants will gain valuable insights and access a wealth of information regarding essential services offered by public entities, from healthcare and education to employment opportunities and social welfare programmes as they will have the opportunity to interact directly with representatives and learn about available resources.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

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Otjinene soup kitchen takes care of more than 300 residents


A soup kitchen in the Otjinene Constituency in the Omaheke Region is feeding more than 300 inhabitants in that area.

This was revealed by the regional councillor of the constituency Erwin Katjizeu in an interview with Nampa on Wednesday, where he indicated that the soup kitchen that is run by his office has helped many of those who are impoverished in that area.

‘As a constituency office we have decided to start a soup kitchen to fight the malnutrition cases reported in the region recently, the fact that young ones were diagnosed with malnutrition even from Otjinene. Our target was with the little ones at first, that is the three, four and five-year-olds. But we ended up feeding from four to 14-years old, because we found those between those ages are not in schools and roaming around our streets,’ he highlighted.

The Otjinene Soup Kitchen was established late in September this year and currently give two meals per day.

‘We started with around 50 kids, but that number has dramatically risen to more than 3
00. On 21 November precisely we fed 300 people including pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding. The number is rising rapidly due to many circumstances in our constituency,’ he further said.

‘We have asked for donations from non-governmental organisations and corporate institutions who are helping here and there, our farmers from the area are also trying their level best, as we speak we got a little beef for the kitchen. The Otjinene community is really helping us with this initiative,’ he said.

According to the constituency leader the soup kitchen not only feeds the previously disadvantaged community but tries to feed every needy resident of Otjinene and the surrounding areas.

Katjizeu indicated that the kitchen is run by the constituency’s office with a few volunteers, and urged those who want to help to come on board and improve the livelihood of their neighbours.

‘We are closing on 07 December as the schools close for the festive season, but then we will need assistance in making sure that the
people that we are feeding have something to put on their tables during the December holiday,’ he appealed.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

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Death of patient in Oshakati State Hospital psychiatric ward under investigation


A 16-year-old boy was reportedly discovered dead in the Oshakati State Hospital’s psychiatric ward on Wednesday after another patient allegedly jumped on him.

Namibian Police Force community affairs officer, Inspector Thomas Aiyambo said the deceased was identified as Karel Ndakolo.

According to Aiyambo, Ndakolo was allegedly found unconscious on the floor by a nurse while a fellow patient was jumping on his stomach.

‘The nurse went to look for manpower in order to remove the patient from the deceased since he was violent. After that he was locked up in an isolation room and that is when a doctor was called in, who declared the boy dead,’ he said.

Aiyambo said the deceased was mentally challenged and was admitted to the Oshakati State Hospital on Monday after he was referred from the Onandjokwe State Hospital.

He added that no bruises or any injuries were detected on the body of the deceased apart from a little blood that came from his mouth and nose.

Aiyambo said no inquest or case is opened yet, pend
ing the post-mortem.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency