The German Technical Cooperation GIZ Ecuador made a donation to Yachay Tech of reagents and supplies through the SI-Frontera program, in order to continue with the processing of COVID-19 tests.

Hermann Mena, Ph.D., Rector of Yachay Tech stated that “this event celebrates the inter-institutional cooperation between GIZ and the University, their unconditional support and concern to assist those of us who lead efforts in the fight against the pandemic. We thank the GIZ technical team for their interest in collaborating for social benefit, as this allows us to continue in the deliberate search for knowledge to solve complex problems, and the development of products and technology. Our laboratory is intended to process COVID-19 PCR tests, for the benefit of the northern region of the country. We do it because we can and we want to. There have been numerous donations, and we congratulate and appreciate the delivery of reagents that will serve to guarantee the continuity of the processing of the tests. This donation is essential for the planning and operation of our laboratory”.

The Rector pointed out that the current university administration is committed to a historic project of a University that is inclusive and socially responsible.

In this context, Markus P. Tellkamp, ​​PhD, director of the laboratory, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the technical team of the COVID-19 laboratory and indicated that “the GIZ donation helps in the effort to meet the needs of the northern part from the country. This a huge challenge, but the current administration, through the Rector, does everything possible to provide solutions, with a group of professors and technicians who are dedicated to carrying out diagnoses. We do this work because we can and we are part of the social fabric of the northern region”, he concluded.

Julia Unger, National Coordinator of the SI Frontera Program, stated that “the program seeks to contribute and create a territory of peace, opportunities and development in the northern region. However, the pandemic took us by surprise and paralyzed us, so we found Yachay Tech, and this alliance emerged. Collaborating with the University and its social commitment to the community has been a comforting and enriching experience. It is one of the signs of the power that institutions have when there is a will. This laboratory is so important in times of pandemic and having the capabilities ready is our commitment”.

The donation allows the laboratory to have 8,500 kits for automatic viral detection and biosafety implements, which will enhance the University’s COVID-19 laboratory.

This way, the joint work between Yachay Tech University, the German Technical Cooperation – GIZ, and the Ministry of Health; has allowed for the processing of 3,110 PCR tests for the detection of COVID-19, in the country’s Zone 1.