COVID-19: KNUST-based pharmaceutical startup creates Africa’s first self-checker
- A KNUST based start-up FastRx has become the first to develop a self-checker called Abbey for the new COVID-19
- Abbey is a self-checker bot that enables people to quickly assess the possibility of being infected with the COVID-19
- Co-Founder of FastRx, William Abrefa, speaks about the company and how their new innovation works
Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in
Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana
FastRx is a health tech startup that leverages technology to solve pressing challenges in the health care system in Ghana.
As an online pharmacy based at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), FastRx has become the first to develop a self-checker for the new COVID-19.
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology was the first to begin the mass production of sanitizers to augment availability in the face of sharp price hikes.
The self-check for coronavirus is the latest achievement by FastRx, a start-up based in the university.
FastRx leverages advanced technology to solve pressing challenges in the health care system in Ghana.
The company serves students on the campus of KNUST and its environs.
Speaking to the CEO of Campus 360, Adivor Peter Agbesi, about the activities of the company, William Abrefa, who is Co-Founder of the start-up, said the company has two main services it provides to its customers; FastRx HealthCard and FastRx Logistics.
FastRx healthCard provides quality and affordable healthcare to low and middle class people regardless of their inability to pay up front.
Abbey, which is the company's latest creation, is a self-checker bot that enables people to quickly assess the possibility of being infected with the COVID-19.
READ ALSO: COVID-19: LEKMA hospital doctor confirmed positive; total number hits 153
Explaining how the tester works, William Abrefa said Abbey is a COVID-19 self-checker bot developed to enable individuals quickly assess the possibility of being infected with the virus and also make informed decisions about seeking medical assistance.
The primary goal is to help reduce the burden on health officials from tracking people who are showing symptoms that could be related to COVID-19 or other serious cold and flu conditions at medical facilities.
According to him, this would help people better understand the severity of their symptoms and educate the public on coronavirus, its symptoms and preventive measures.
Abbey, when launched, would ask users a series of questions to help determine if the symptoms a user is experiencing mean could be that of the COVID-19 and would prompt them to seek immediate medical help.
In other news, Freda Ocran, a US Ghanaian native and former head nurse of Jacobi Medical Center’s psychiatric unit has died from the novel coronavirus.
YEN.com.gh gathers that the late Ghanaian nurse had expressed concern about the lack of COVID-19 precautions and testing while working at the Jacobi Medical Center’s psychiatric unit before dying of coronavirus weeks later.
READ ALSO: COVID-19: Nurse at Ridge Hospital 'exposes' Obour after his late dad put patients & staff at risk
One on one with the young Ghanaian genius Angela Tabiri who has a Ph.D. in Mathematics | #Yencomgh
Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?
Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.
Source: YEN.com.gh
