“As Covid-19 spreads across the globe, the demand for diagnostic tests continues to increase. South Africa, like many other countries, is struggling to meet this demand, with a growing backlog in tests hampering efforts to track the virus spread, identify hotspots and track, trace and treat infected patients.

Access to rapid diagnostic test results are crucial in any country’s battle with this virus, while we await a vaccine or new treatment protocols. What are the different tests, how do they work and why are we failing to meet the demand? Does South Africa have the capacity to generate its own tests? And if so, what are the hurdles and opportunities in this space? COVID-19 may be a sign of things to come. What will South Africa be doing to ensure that we are ready for future scenarios?

Professor Janice Limson of Rhodes University’s Biotechnology Innovation Centre brings together a panel of experts to discuss the opportunities and challenges attached to the production of diagnostic tests in South Africa. Prof Limson joins Steve Sherman in conversation with Dr Andrea Julsing (SAHPRA), Professor Kevin Land (University Pretoria), Dr Manfred Scriba (CSIR), and Tamlyn Shaw (Cape Bio Pharms), as they take the public along on the journey to produce life-saving COVID-19 diagnostic tests.”