Halifax, U.S.A. — Under a US Army contract valued at USD$4.2 million, MedMira will develop and commercialize this multiple rapid test which detects HIV, Hepatitis B and C simultaneously in 3 minutes from a single drop of blood.

MedMira Inc., a developer of rapid diagnostic technology and solutions, announced today that it has been awarded a U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) contract to develop and commercialize a rapid test capable of simultaneous detection of HIV and Hepatitis B and C.

The contract, awarded through a competitive bid process, involves a two-year base period and a 10-month option with a value of USD$4,266,144, if all options are exercised. MedMira presented its technology and multiple rapid tests, which met the U.S. Army’s advanced technology readiness level requirements. The Multiplo Rapid HBV/HIV/HCV Antibody Test resulting from this contract award will be deployed on the frontlines of military healthcare for use in emergency screening for transfusion transmitted diseases where no FDA approved donor screening tests are available. The military could also put the test to use during pre and post deployment screenings and civilian disaster relief efforts.

“We are thrilled to receive this new contract from USAMRAA for the development and commercialization of our Multiplo test. This contract award demonstrates the excellent fit between MedMira’s technology and products and military requirements. We have built a lasting relationship with the U.S. Army, delivering advanced diagnostic solutions that reduce the need for militaries to undertake ground-up development work,” said Hermes Chan, CEO, MedMira Inc. “MedMira’s technology and products are elegantly simple, portable, fast, and high quality. All of these attributes are mission critical in deploying diagnostic healthcare solutions on the frontlines of military healthcare.”

Chan continued, “Our team recently attended a conference focused on military pre-hospital trauma management where we heard first hand of the need for a multiple rapid HBV/HIV/HCV test from many of the leading experts, military personnel, and medical professionals in this field.”

Under contract number W81XWH-12-C-0151 the U.S. Army will fund all development costs and associated fees in obtaining a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) premarket approval (PMA) for this multiple rapid test. The scope of work under this contract will see MedMira advance and fully commercialize a multiple rapid test that will simultaneously detect three of the most serious infectious diseases, namely HIV-1/2, Hepatitis B, and C antibodies within three minutes using just a small drop of blood. Once approved, the product will be supplied by MedMira directly to the U.S. Army and to other customers throughout the world, both military and civilian, via the Company’s distribution network.

“A multiplexed test for transfusion transmitted diseases provides an enabling technology that will be used to mitigate risk in austere environments where emergency blood collections are necessary to save lives of severely wounded war fighters,” said Colonel Richard Gonzales, Product Manager, U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity.

The article New Rapid Test Can Detect HIV in 3 Minutes appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Mcleam, Virginia, U.S.A - Honor for ALL, in cooperation with the Code of Support Foundation, announced that a special “Visible Honor for Invisible Wounds” event on June 27th will commemorate the third annual National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day. This day, that was introduced by Senator Kent Conrad (D, ND), calls for the nation to set aside this date to create a greater level of awareness and understanding of the issues facing many service members returning from war.

The event is open to the public and will include addresses by representatives of the Chiefs of our Armed Services, members of the Executive and Legislative branches, and distinguished individuals from the healthcare sector. Most important, affected service members and veterans will take part in the program. Senator Conrad will deliver the keynote remarks. Ceremonies will begin promptly at 10:00 AM in Upper Senate Park adjacent to the Russell Senate Office Building.

“Our goals are simple, but critically important,” said Thomas Mahany, president of Honor for ALL. “We want all Americans to understand the true nature of PTSD to help remove the stigma that still surrounds this type of injury. And, yes, PTSD is an ‘injury’ for which there is treatment and a healing process,” he added. “Just as our troops never leave a wounded comrade behind on the battlefield, we must not leave those who suffer from invisible wounds behind as we honor our troops, their family members and our veterans. By instilling dignity, we can preserve lives,”concluded Mahany with reference to the disproportionate rates of suicide among these groups.

Other speakers scheduled to appear include the Surgeons General of the Army, Air Force, Navy and National Guard, and the Sergeant Major of the Army, Raymond Chandler. Speakers from key partner organizations include Kristina Kaufmann, Executive Director of the Code of Support Foundation, Pam Derrow from CAUSE, and Mark Robbins of the Yellow Ribbon Fund.

Honor for ALL, is dedicated to establishing visible recognition of the invisible wounds of post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, depression and survivor’s guilt. Its mission is to conquer the stigma, preserve the dignity of families, and most importantly, stop the tragic loss from suicide of service members, veterans and family members.

The Code of Support Foundation is dedicated to bridging the gap between the American people and our Armed Forces. Its mission is to ensure that all Americans understand the service and sacrifice of our troops and their families, and are committed and actively engaged in doing their part in support of our national defense. The foundation, a, was established in 2010, and helps identify, vet and support other non-profit organizations that support military communities.

Image Courtesy of  Truthout

The article June 27th Declared as the National PTSD Day appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Amid two wars, the United States’ military is having a difficult time with mental illness.  Extended terms and repeated deployments contribute to the rising mental illness and suicide rates in the military.  One such example can be seen with Pfc. David Lawrence, 20.  Lawrence allegedly shot and killed a captured Taliban member on last October.  The prisoner was sleeping in his cell when he was killed.  Lawrence faces premeditated murder charges and, if convicted, could face life in jail or execution.  What does the military need to do differently?

For starters, it needs to take mental illness far more seriously.  Should a person with a serious mental illness be in charge of prisoners or be given a gun?  Lawrence was on a prescribed anti-depressant at the time of the shooting.  In the weeks leading up to the shooting, Lawrence had revealed to family members that he was hearing voices.   During a military court hearing held in December, testimony revealed that Lawrence had asked for and received help from mental health providers in Afghanistan.  However, when he returned to his unit, he was not given any additional supervision.  Instead, according to Lawrence’s civilian attorney James Culp, he received longer-than-normal shifts on guard duty.

Despite the evidence to the contrary, prosecutors suggested he was faking mental illness in hopes of getting a lighter sentence.   They said Lawrence didn’t tell Army officials until after the shooting that he was hearing voices, and that after his arrest he spoke of “playing the crazy card.”   At the hearing, prosecutors also described Lawrence as a zealot bent on killing the enemy. They said his words and actions indicated he deliberately arranged to be the only guard on duty at the prisoner’s cell.

This case is a representation of the problems with mental health in the military.  “I think what this case shows is there’s these complex, contradictory needs in the military,” said Barbara Van Dahlen, a clinical psychologist and founder of Give An Hour, a nonprofit that provides free mental health services to returning troops and their families.  “On the one hand … we have to look out for these folks,” she said. “On the other hand, we have to keep control of our forces.”

Lawrence’s father and attorney describe David as a young man with a family history of schizophrenia.  Schizophrenia is often triggered by a stressful event.  Lawrence was badly shaken by the death of two friends in Afghanistan.  Van Dahlen said a trained mental health provider will be able to determine whether David Lawrence has schizophrenia.  “You can’t really fake being schizophrenic … not when an evaluator is looking at this,” she said.

Last month, Army psychiatrists certified Lawrence as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia.  Even so, the US Army has notified the Lawrence family they are proceeding with the court martial. If convicted, David Lawrence faces at the least life in prison up to the death penalty.

The article U.S. Military and Mental Illness: Case of David Lawrence appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.