Ugandan businessmen dealing in health products are planning to import a new HIV potable testing device recently developed in Rwanda.

The inexpensive machine can tell whether a person has HIV or syphilis or both within only 20 minutes.

The small blood test kit was developed by Samuel Sia, a scientist from the Biomedical department at the Columbia University USA.

The device code named ‘mChip’ is expected to be used in developing countries like Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania among others.

The tests on the use of this device were successfully carried out in Kigali. However its use is yet to be approved by the World Health Organisation.’

The plastic device uses a micro-litre of blood to detect the presence of HIV and syphilis in the human body.

Dr. Katumba Bonny, a dealer in health equipments on Kampala road says that he is seeking clearance from the ministry of health to start importing the new device on the Ugandan market.