Ammon News - The Ministry of Health, in cooperation with USAID, launched Wednesday a practical training program on performing rapid COVID-19 tests using Ag-RDT technology, also known as Rapid Antigen Tests.

The program will train medical personnel from Ministry of Health and Royal Medical Services hospitals, in addition to the University of Jordan Hospital, King Abdullah I Hospital, the National Diabetes Center and the King Hussein Cancer Center.

The Rapid Antigen Testing training program will train at least 225 public sector healthcare professionals and is implemented under the supervision of the Ministry of Health’s Central Laboratories Directorate.

Among other key uses, Rapid Antigen Tests will help to screen emergency department patients for COVID-19 infection, allowing quick application of isolation protocols and subsequent confirmatory PCR testing if required.

This will support hospitals’ ability to quickly distinguish between infections of seasonal cold, influenza, and COVID-19, which often have similar initial symptoms. While Rapid Antigen Tests support emergency department personnel in identifying COVID-19 positive patients, they will not replace the COVID-19 PCR Test.

The Rapid Antigen Tests’ accelerated COVID-19 detection feature will contribute to protecting healthcare professionals, as they are one of the most vulnerable segments to catch the virus, as well as other hospital patients.

This training is one of the key areas of support USAID is providing the Ministry of Health and the health sector in Jordan to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen Jordan’s health system.

USAID’s Local Health System Sustainability project is also supporting Jordan’s National COVID-19 Response Plan, by strengthening laboratories and supporting the private health care sector’s response to the pandemic.