SurgiLance Safety Lancet Part Of Major HIV Testing Initiative In Sub Saharan Africa

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Medical Devices;  Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 18 Apr 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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The SurgiLance safety lancet, an industry-leading medical safety product manufactured by MediPurpose, has been selected for inclusion in an HIV kit distributed throughout Africa by Nigerian-based Bundi International Diagnostics. Long established in the Americas and Europe, SurgiLance safety lancets are now part of a major testing initiative designed to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS on the African continent.

A critical component of the fight against AIDS, HIV testing initiatives identify those at risk for developing AIDS and make early intervention and treatment possible. Last year alone, more than 1.7 million adults and children became infected with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa. In this region most devastated by the AIDS epidemic, an astonishing 1.6 million people lost their lives to AIDS in 2007.

"This new relationship with Bundi International Diagnostics underscores our commitment to those front-line medical professionals committed to global health initiatives like HIV/AIDS prevention," says MediPurpose CEO Patrick Yi. "A growing number of test kit manufacturers have chosen the SurgiLance safety lancet for their point-of-care test kits which are used both in medical facilities and in the field," added Randy Prather, MediPurpose VP for Sales and Marketing. "In addition to their use in HIV test kits, SurgiLance safety lancets can be used to test for Hepatitis and Chagas and are commonly used in glucose and cholesterol testing."

Manufactured in Nigeria, Bundi HIV test kits are widely used in state and federal hospitals, non-governmental organizations, clinics, voluntary counseling and testing centers. The Bundi kit contains all items necessary to perform HIV testing. The test kit can be refrigerated or stored at room temperature, making it a convenient choice even for poorly-equipped laboratories and field locations without lab facilities or electricity.

"The SurgiLance safety lancet is a critical component of the Bundi Rapid HIV-1/2 Test Kit and sets us apart from other HIV test kits," says Bundi president Robert Udeagha. "The SurgiLance safety lancet allows consistent depth of penetration, provides optimal blood flow in mere seconds, delivers a quality blood sample and is virtually pain-free for patients undergoing HIV testing. Best of all," says Udeagha, "the inclusion of SurgiLance safety lancets completely eliminates the dangers associated with accidental needle stick, which is one means of HIV transmission."

About MediPurpose

MediPurpose designs, manufactures and markets innovative healthcare solutions valued by its customers. The company is known for introducing quality safety medical devices that protect healthcare professionals from sharps injury. Founded in 1999, the company achieved rapid success with its SurgiLance safety lancet, quickly becoming one of the top leaders in the US safety lancet market and establishing solid distribution channels worldwide.

As a globally recognized innovator, MediPurpose has developed a menu of services to assist inventors and growing medical device companies successfully design, patent, manufacture and sell their products. MediPurpose maintains offices in the US, Singapore, the UK, France and Spain.

For more information on MediPurpose, visit http://www.medipurpose.com

MediPurpose
http://www.medipurpose.com