India to produce indigenous coronavirus testing kits by May

New Delhi : After twin controversies surrounding the authenticity of coronavirus testing kits manufactured from China, the health ministry claimed that there India will be able to produce the indigenous coronavirus testing kits by May this year.

"We will be able to produce RT-PCR and antibody test kits in India by May. All processes are in advanced stage and production will start after getting approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). It will help us in meeting our target of one lakh tests per day by May 31," the minister said at a videoconference.

During the video conference, the issue of healthworkers contracting to coronavirus has also been discussed. The ministers also discussed the ways to the number of hotspots to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Notably, India had, earlier this month, purchased nearly five lakh rapid anti-body testing kits from China. Now, however, the ICMR has asked states to stop using these kits after they were found to be ‘faulty.’