ADK Hospital, in collaboration with LUX* resorts and Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), have established a fully-functional laboratory for COVID-19 PCR testing at Velana International Airport (VIA).

ADK revealed that the laboratory is equipped with LightCycler® 480 Real-Time PCR Systems from Germany and MagNa Pure Extractors, and that this makes the installation at VIA one of the best fully-automated COVID-19 testing facilities in the world.

The aim of this laboratory is to improve the efficiency of PCR testing at the airport, with ADK stating that once operational, the lab would be able to test samples brought in by Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), resorts and other islands. A drop-off point for samples has also been created at the Airport Ferry Terminal.

With the addition of this facility, ADKs capacity to conduct PCR tests increases to 2000 tests daily, and the hospital says that an increase in efficiency has been reported, with costs for conducting PCR tests having been reduced.

The price for PCR tests for Maldivians at ADK hospital was MVR 1,200 before, with the reduced price now standing at MVR 1,000. Tourists can now undergo PCR testing for USD 70, down from USD 80 before the laboratory was installed.