The Vice President of Science, Technology, Education, and Health, Gabriela Jiménez, announced the latest scientific advances to strengthen the Venezuelan health system, with the creation of new diagnostic kits for the detection of Chagas disease, HIV, and Hepatitis C.
Jiménez explained that these diagnostic technology platforms were developed entirely in Venezuela, through the cloning of antigenic proteins that allow a precise reaction with the patient’s serum. This innovation allows the diagnosis of the three diseases with just a drop of blood.
The official emphasized that these systems are open source, making them compatible with ELISA readers from anywhere in the world, and represent a significant step in import substitution in the health sector.
She also highlighted the work of Dr. Juan Luis Concepción, who, along with Dr. Ana Cáceres, was responsible for developing the COVID-19 diagnostic kit during the pandemic. Concepción has twice received the National Sciences Award.
Jiménez emphasized that these tools guarantee safe blood for transfusions, surgeries, and births, and represent a vital contribution to the country’s blood banks and hospitals:
«This is the scientific jewel in the crown: a platform unique in the world that allows three simultaneous diagnoses from a single sample,» she stated.