KUALA LUMPUR (July 28): Bioalpha Holdings Bhd has partnered a laboratory in South Sudan to undertake a Covid-19 testing programme at the border entry points in the country.

The health supplement group said in a filing that its wholly-owned subsidiary Bioalpha (HK) Ltd (Bioalpha HK) had entered into a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Crawford Laboratory of the Republic of South Sudan to exclusively undertake the Covid-19 testing programme.

The mandate involves installation of testing facilities, as well as the provision of testing products and services at border entry points in the country to screen all inbound travellers to South Sudan at these locations to prevent cross-border infections.

According to Bioalpha, this collaboration is part of the initiative by the East African Community (EAC) to make available Covid-19 testing products and services to the 180 million population in six partner countries.

Apart from South Sudan, the other countries are Kenya, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Uganda and the Republic of Burundi.

Crawford Laboratory is principally involved in the provision of Covid-19 testing activities in South Sudan and is currently the only organisation in the country offering online applications for Covid-19 tests.

Under the MoA, Bioalpha HK will supply the necessary equipment and the training required to properly utilize the said equipment for the purpose of the Covid-19 testing programme.

Bioalpha HK will supply 100,000 test kits per month along with its consumables, and the testing cost to be charged to travellers is at approximately US$20 (RM85) for locals and US$50 (RM212) for foreigners.

Meanwhile, Crawford Laboratory will manage the testing facilities and liaise with the necessary authorities within South Sudan to ensure all inbound travellers to the country via the Nimule and Juba International Airport are compulsorily required to take the Covid-19 test under the programme.

It will also obtain the necessary regulatory approvals required for the programme.

The MoA will come into effect on the date of signing and will remain in effect for a period of two years from the date of signing of the MoA subject to a further renewal based on both parties' mutual agreement.

Bioalpha said the MoA enables the company to widen its revenue streams to include the distribution of Covid-19 screening equipment and products to nations under the EAC, starting with South Sudan, which has a population of 11 million people.

“In addition, this programme would also pave way and serve as a platform for Bioalpha to expand the delivery of other healthcare and pharmaceutical products and services to South Sudan as well as other partner states under the EAC,” it said, adding that this opens up a whole new market for Bioalpha as it establishes its presence in the EAC nations.

The MoA is expected to contribute positively towards the future earnings of Bioalpha, the company said.

Bioalpha closed 0.5 sen or 2.27% higher at 22.5 sen today, valuing the group at RM260.59 million.