India, Israel joins hands in unique operation to combat COVID-19

New Delhi, July 24: In an unprecedented collaborative to counter the coronavirus pandemic, Israel is sending high-level research delegation to New Delhi this week to conduct the final stages of testing of advanced technologies for the rapid diagnosis of the coronavirus with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

 

 

The Israeli R&D researchers will work with India’s chief scientist K Vijay Raghavan and DRDO to develop rapid testing for the deadly coronavirus in less than 30 seconds that would streamline response to a global pandemic. The Israeli delegation, led by the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), in the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMoD), will conduct a series of tests to determine the effectiveness of several rapid diagnostic solutions.

 

 

They will collect tens of thousands of samples in just ten days, and analyze them using computer systems based on artificial intelligence. This massive sampling will shorten processes and advance the approval of effective technology. All tests will be validated using PCR tests. For this purpose, the center has appointed a local team of some 100 professionals and another team to set up testing sites, operated by both Israel and India.

 

 

The four tech systems that will be tested are the voice test, breathalyzer test based on terra-hertz waves, isothermal test, and polyamine acids test. What they all have in common is the ability to detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in the body quickly usually within minutes.

 

The Israeli delegation consists of 20 individuals (IMoD, IDF, Ministry of Health and representatives of relevant industries), and is led by Ambassador Ron Malka, and the Defense Attaché in India, Col. Assaf Meller. In addition to the DDR&D team, the delegation also includes engineers and other professionals from the companies involved in the development of the various diagnostic technologies. The flight will also bring breakthrough Israeli tech to combat COVID19 and to boost India's response to the virus outbreak. The plane will deliver mechanical ventilators that were given special permission by the Govt of Israel for export to India.

 

Israel envoy Ron Malka said “I am proud to lead this Israeli delegation to India. It is at times like this that our friendship is tested, and the State of Israel is happy to lend a helping hand to India in this complicated and difficult time. I am confident that India and Israel can work together to find innovative and cheap solutions to help the world overcome this crisis.”

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a global challenge, so it is only right that the solution is global scientific cooperation between countries. India and Israel’s military R&D cooperation is well known for its success," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu Benjamin have held three telephonic conversations since the outbreak of the global pandemic in which they agreed on mutual assistance in dealing with the virus & committed to joint technological and scientific research between the countries.