Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a cost effective typhoid detection kit, which is likely to hit the market soon. According to, DRDO chief controller and Brahmos Aerospace Limited chief executive officer, A Sivathanu Pillai, who was in Tiruchi on Saturday to release the commemorative stamp on Brahmos supersonic missile, the typhoid kit had undergone rigorous testing and is waiting to go through the certification process mandatory for health-related products.

 

He further added that, the agency for mass production of the testing kit has been identified and the product would hit the markets very soon, indicating that the kit would cost one-fifth of the existing typhoid detection systems. The kit would help in quick diagnosis in just a few minutes, ensuring early care and control of the illness rather than  practicing the traditional approach which may take a few days,

 

Talking about other products, he mentioned that, the DRDO has also started working on indigenous cochlear implant. The product is expected to be ready and would be given for certification from health agencies, by December 2009. He also revealed about Aspheric magnifier, which is aimed at increasing the vision for those suffering from partial blindness, is likely to hit the market in six months. With the support of Life Insurance Corporation of India, the lightweight callipers, another product of DRDO, would be distributed to one lakh physically disabled persons.  

 

Sivathanu Pillai further mentioned that, in 2011, the test launches of the air version would be conducted and later in 2012, Brahmos would then be inducted into the air force. Brahmos Aerospace Limited would also embark on developing Brahmos II, the hypersonic missile that would travel at a speed of 5 to 7 Mac.