UMELISA, Cuba’s New Covid Rapid Test Kit

After an intense period of research and testing by the Immunoassay Center (CIE) and the Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine, UMELISA, Cuba’s new COVID antigen diagnostic test kit has rolled off the production lines.

UMELISA is made with 100% Cuban-sourced materials in its development and production. Manufactured in July, the first 644 kits are ready for distribution to the country’s polyclinics and hospitals. Scheduled production forecasts more than 705,000 diagnostic kits to be available this month.

The Immunoassay Center uses the Ultra Micro Analytical System (SUMA) technology to perform a wide range of tests in polyclinics and hospitals. UMELISA expands these services and will enable Covid test results in only 4 hours replacing the costly PCR kits. It provides the country’s diagnostic abilities with a kit that allows total independence and reduces the cost of testing. It will also expand Covid testing since Cuba’s hospitals and polyclinics are already fully equipped with the SUMA equipment.

In this way, Cuba increases its strength in its battle against Covid. In addition to Cuban-produced medicines and vaccines, the testing kits are now available, allowing independence to continue its fight.

The UMELISA test kit was approved by the Center for State Control of Medicines, Equipment and Medical Devices of Cuba (CECMED).