TORONTO, Dec 13 (DNA): In a landmark achievement, Toronto-based
Pakistani Doctor Naqeeb Khalid has introduced an instant COVID-19
diagnostic test using a smartphone.

High Commissioner for Pakistan to Canada Raza Bashir Tarar has
congratulated Dr. Naqeeb Khalid, who led the development of a
smartphone-based diagnostic test for COVID-19.

The high commissioner in a video conversation with Dr. Naqeeb Khalid
said the idea of a Covid test being displayed and communicated by the
smartphone is laudable. He hoped such a quick, hassle-free, accessible
and affordable invention would be of immense help to the humanity in
overcoming the current pandemic and fighting viruses causing tropical
diseases such as dengue.

Raza Bashir Tarar hoped that clinical trials of the innovation would
prove its efficacy for the COVID-19 test and pave the way for necessary
approvals before put to use at the mass level.

Dr Naqeeb Khalid who graduated from King Edward Medical University in
1983 before acquiring experience in invention of medical devices and
systems, told the High Commissioner that his innovation is based on a
digital platform that displays the result instantly on any smartphone
and can also communicate or store the results along with time and GPS
information.

A smartphone App will be available for download from the AppStore. He
said instant, accurate and low-cost testing that does not rely on
laboratory testing is essential in containing the pandemic and together
with vaccines, we can control the COVID-19 outbreak and return our lives
and economies to normal.

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