TCP Group provides an automated analyzer to Chulalongkorn Hospital to boost speed and precision in diagnosing COVID-19 virus cases and reduce the spread of the disease
TCP Group, manufacturer and distributor of beverages under the brands Krating Daeng (Red Bull), Ready, Som Plus, Sponsor, Mansome, Puriku, and Sun Snack, is empowering and protecting medical personnel in the fight against COVID-19 by donating Thailand’s first automated analyzer to screen for the virus to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society. Valued at 15 million baht, the analyzer was developed by Roche Diagnostics (Thailand) Ltd. TCP Group is playing its part in enhancing the speed and precision of disease diagnosis in order to help Thailand stop the spread of the disease as soon as possible.
“Thailand and the world are facing a crisis, in which the COVID-19 virus is spreading rapidly. I believe that people from all sectors are doing their best to overcome this pandemic. I and all staff of TCP Group are ready to help in every possible way so everyone can pull through this crisis together,” said Mr. Saravoot Yoovidhya, Chief Executive Officer, TCP Group. “The most important thing is to ensure that medical staff have the necessary equipment for disease diagnosis which performs efficiently, accurately and rigorously. This will reduce the risk of infection for medical personnel and will result in faster COVID-19 screening for people, which will lower the chance of the disease spreading. This is what TCP Group aims for.”
The automated analyzer for screening the novel coronavirus 2019 disease was developed by Roche Diagnostics (Thailand) Ltd and certified by the United States Food and Drug Agency on March 13, 2020*. The analyzer applies real-time PCR technology, which is recognized for its ability to aid physicians and experts in diagnosing diseases. It has the capacity to analyze 1,440 cases of COVID-19 virus per day with an accuracy of up to 99.8%*, which will reduce the time taken for diagnosis. With the automated system, the analyzer also reduces the chance of contamination and risk of infection among medical personnel. After the COVID-19 crisis is over, the analyzer can also be used to diagnose other viruses, namely HIV, Hepatitis B, influenza, and other new diseases which may emerge in the future.
Asst. Prof. Pokrath Hansasuta, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, said: “We would like to thank TCP Group for providing us with the automated analyzer for screening the novel coronavirus 2019 in this urgent situation. The analyzer will not only boost confidence and reduce risks for medical personnel doing their duties, but will also improve efficiency and the speed of COVID-19 virus screening. Faster screening and diagnosis of new cases will result in faster implementation of preventive measures and reduction of the spread of the disease. Moreover, with the analyzer’s efficiency, we will be able to support other hospitals by helping them screening the disease.”
TCP Group hopes that the first automated analyzer for screening the COVID-19 virus will help Thailand pull through the crisis as soon as possible.
Lastly, we would like to express our appreciation to Prof. Suttipong Wacharasindhu, M.D., Director, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society; Asst. Prof. Pokrath Hansasuta, M.D., Ph.D., Chief, Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University; Assoc. Prof. Rattaplee Pak-art, M.D., Chief, Department of General Surgery, G2 Unit, and Chief, Department of Traumatology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society; Prof. Nattiya Hirankarn, M.D., Chief, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University; as well as all the physicians and officers at Department of Microbiology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, team members of Roche Diagnostics (Thailand) Limited, and officers from all sectors who took part in providing the country with the first automated analyzer to screen for COVID-19 virus.
Mr. Saravoot Yoovidhya (3rd from left), Chief Executive Officer, TCP Group, together with Mr. Pichetpong Srisuwankul (far left), Managing Director, Roche Diagnostics (Thailand) Limited, hands over the first automated analyzer in Thailand for screening the coronavirus, valued at 15 million baht, to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, led by the hospital’s Director, Prof. Suttipong Wacharasindhu, M.D. (3rd from right), together with Asst. Prof. Pokrath Hansasuta, M.D., Ph.D. (2nd from right), Chief of Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, at the microbiology laboratory, 3rd floor, Bhumisiri Mangkhalanusorn Building.
Mr. Saravoot Yoovidhya, Chief Executive Officer, TCP Group observes the automated analyzer at work in the microbiology laboratory.
Mr. Saravoot Yoovidhya, (left), Chief Executive Officer, TCP Group, hands over the first automated analyzer, valued at 15 million baht, to Prof. Suttipong Wacharasindhu, M.D., Director of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society.
