BioMedica select Ghana to manufacture cheap lab equipment

The company aims to focus on the research and development of affordable medical diagnostic equipment for hospitals and small clinics in emerging economies with a view to combating some of the diseases that are rife in the region

The move by BioMedica​ spells good news for the African nation, as the firm are producers of a HIV/AIDS diagnostic test, which claims to be able to recognise the presence of the disease in three minutes.

Under the terms of the deal, in agreement with DANPONG Groups Company (Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Companies in the Ashanti Region), BioMedica would establish the plant in Accra, as well as assist interested medical centres and hospitals to set up diagnostic laboratories.

The laboratories would use reagents manufactured by the plant to provide a complete lab support service with a comprehensive diagnostic menu. The range of assays or tests would include routine blood chemistry work for general assessment of metabolic and organ functioning; complete haematology blood cell counts; common immuno-diagnostics and serology for infectious diseases; fertility testing; drugs abuse; cardiac diseases and cancer markers.

Others are blood coagulation testing for routine management and monitoring of cardiovascular risk; comprehensive urinalysis and diabetics management products.

As well as HIV/AIDS, Ghana has suffered from increased incidences of thrombosis, the clotting of the blood in the heart or blood vessel. Figures are such that it is now becoming a major killer disease in Africa.

Biomedica's investment in the Ghanaian economy could well be a sign of things to come. BioMedica has sold equipment in Ghana before and another Canadian company, MedCan Exports have also shown great interest in the region.

In 2003, they brought a team of businessmen and women to explore opportunities in this market