RS Siloam Offers Affordable Coronavirus Testing for Indonesians

TANGERANG, KOMPAS.com – PT Siloam International Hospitals Tbk (SILO), more widely known as RS Siloam, has made it possible for Coronavirus testing to be affordable for Indonesians.

RS Siloam offers a test called the serologic antibody SARS-CoV-2 lab test (or the serologic antibody test), which was created in partnership with Roche.

The test is available in all of RS Siloam’s hospitals in Indonesia for a price range of from Rp 109.000 to Rp 199.000.

Also Read: Kalbe Farma Set to Test Covid-19 Vaccine

The price of Rp 109,000 is valid for Coronavirus testing of 100 people while the Rp 139.000 package is for 10 walk-in individuals. Individual Coronavirus testing costs Rp 199.000.

Vice President Director of Siloam Hospitals Group, Caroline Riady, explained that the benefit of the serologic antibody test is its high sensitivity rate of 100% and a specificity of 99.81%.

She said the antibody test is used in the United States, Australia, Europe, United Kingdom, and Singapore.

“With the easing of restrictions, every individual and company must remain mindful of good hygiene practices in order to keep the community safe," she said.

Also Read: Indonesia’s Coronavirus Death Toll Now At 2000

"One of the preventive measures is to undergo a serologic antibody test that is affordable,” Caroline said during a press conference on 11 June 2020.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called for widespread contact tracing and testing of as many as 20,000 daily.

The government has been widely criticized for insufficiently responding to the pandemic which includes having a weak testing rate.

Indonesia has reported over 35,000 confirmed Coronavirus cases while breaking a handful of daily infections records as testing measures ramp up this week.

Based on its population, Indonesia should ideally carry out 30,000 Coronavirus testing on a daily basis.

Benefits of serology testing

The serology test functions similarly to another form of Coronavirus test, the rapid test, which detects the presence of antibodies to determine whether an individual is infected by the novel virus.

Since the serology test uses robotic instruments in its operation and detection, it offers a better sensitivity rate up to 100%.

As such, there is a slim chance for a Covid-19 positive individual to go undetected.

Also Read: Indonesia Coronavirus Cases Break Three Records in One Week

“This test can truly detect antibodies that derive from SARS-CoV-2 or Covid-19,” Caroline explained.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, the antibody test is needed to specifically detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 without cross-reactivity thus reducing the chances of a fake positive.

Country Manager of Roche Diagnostics Indonesia Ahmed Hassan reaffirmed Roche’s commitment to providing a swift testing solution that is accurate and dependable for the medical community and patients amidst today’s global health emergency. (Writer: Kiki Safitri | Editor: Erlangga Djumena)

Source: https://money.kompas.com/read/2020/06/11/130600926/silo-sediakan-tes-covid-19-serologi-antibodi-harganya-tak-sampai-rp-200.000