Aga Khan University (AKU) has developed 3D printed, low-cost nasal swab for Covid-19 testing in Pakistan, the varsity announced in a statement on Tuesday. According to AKU, Pakistan now has the ability to locally produce nasal swabs- the essential tool required to collect samples for Covid-19 testing- after the university successfully completed clinical trials using a 3D printed swab. As countries around the world ramped up testing facilities, Pakistan found itself in no different situation and had to import nasal swabs. The varsity has claimed the clinical trials on the prototype found the 3D printed nasal swab as safe, effective and user-friendly as imported swabs. "The 3D printed swab will reduce the need to import swabs for respiratory sampling," said Professor Zahra Hasan from AKU's department of pathology and laboratory medicine, and the co-principal investigator of the project.

Source: The Express Tribune November 11, 2020 03:45 UTC