To mark World Malaria Day, the World Gold Council has reiterated the path-breaking research results that have led to the development of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) that uses nano particles of gold to timely detect and cure malaria cross the world.
With an aim to showcase the benefits of the use of gold, the World Gold Council has also put together a film titled Gold for health. Some of the key advantages of the diagnostic kit that uses nano particles of gold are shown in the video.
Malaria kills more than 6,60,000 people every year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the fight against the disease is being transformed by RDT, which uses tiny amounts of gold to identify patients in less than 20 minutes. Gold’s role in this important and cost-effective medical technology is explained in the film, which was released to mark World Malaria Day on April 25.
Recently published WHO research has shown that the death rate remains high, because very often malaria is not diagnosed in time: “Recognising and promptly treating uncomplicated malaria is…of vital importance” to avoid life-threatening complications.
RDT contains a thin layer of nano particles of gold. These gold particles help to produce a simple colour change, which indicates if malaria is present in the patient’s blood sample. “RDT is cheap, costing no more than $1, approximately `50 per test, and are perfect for use in the often harsh conditions commonly found in malaria zones around the world,” said Dr Trevor Keel, head of technology at the World Gold Council.
“In 2011, WHO estimated 155 million RDTs were sold for malaria diagnosis, making it an incredibly important use of gold,” added Dr Keel.
David Bell, head of programme, malaria/acute febrile syndrome, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics said, “Most people who die of infectious diseases in malaria-affected countries do so because they are given the wrong medicine, or the right medicine too late. However, WHO data also warns that there are still not enough test kits available to meet the need.”