PUTRAJAYA will roll out deep throat saliva testing for Covid-19 once a study on the sampling method is completed, said Health Minister Dr Adham Baba.

“Research and evaluation is being conducted at 11 test centres. We are still waiting for the full report,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“We will roll out fully once the research is concluded with complete reports from the 11 test centres.”

It was reported last month that the deep throat saliva method had received Health Ministry approval, but Adham said testing was still being conducted.

Malaysian health authorities are currently using the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs, which is taken through the nose and mouth as samples for Covid-19 tests.

Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said on March 4 that seven hospitals have been identified to conduct field assessments on the deep throat saliva sampling method.

This method allows people to self-collect their sputum samples by drawing out saliva from deep within their throat to spit into a specimen bottle.

This method has been identified as suitable for real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests.

This is also said to allow savings on personal protective equipment (PPE) gear worn by health care workers conducting Covid-19 testing.

The test method is currently being used in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Last month, My EG Services Bhd (MyEG) in a filing with Bursa Malaysia said it would be introducing this form of Covid-19 testing from March.

MyEG said sputum samples can be collected from homes and workplaces for processing at laboratories under BP Healthcare.

According to MyEG, the test would cost RM150, not including delivery fees. – March 27, 2021.