Stelph Medical is flying Rapid Antigen Tests to the NT despite extra costs

A Territory medical supplies business has emerged as a galvanising force in slowing the spread of the infection in the NT.

INSIDE a small office in the Darwin CBD resides the “engine room” of the Territory’s fight against Covid-19.

The unassuming space contains thousands of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) set to make their way around the NT in an attempt to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Motivated to help Territorians detect the virus early and slow the spread of infection, local medical supply business STELPH Medical are quietly working against the clock to save lives.

Stelph Medical director Samuel Ward said the more access people had to RATs, the more likely they were able to regularly test and ensure early detection.

“We’re not here to save cents, we’re here to save lives,” Mr Ward said.

“That’s the way I look at it and that’s the number one priority in this situation — preventing the spread.”

STELPH Medical are the official authorised Abbott RAT distributor in the Territory, supplying “tens of thousands” of tests a day to the NT government, Aboriginal corporations, pharmacies and online.

STELPH Medical director Samuel Ward and marketing science manager Adam Troyn holding highly sought after RATs. Picture: Floss Adams.

People at home in Darwin or the Palmerston area who are required to self-isolate but need a test, can get free delivery of a RAT kit from STELPH.

Averaging about 50 deliveries to businesses and residential addresses a day, Mr Ward said the company was “willing to go the extra mile”.

“We do contact free delivery for people that may be a bit ill or they don’t want to be out in public potentially spreading the virus,” he said.

Mr Ward said getting the tests to the Territory quickly was logistically difficult, with freight via road taking up to four or five days.

Logistic delays justify Mr Ward’s costly decision to have “about 90 per cent” of the company’s tests delivered via airfreight to “provide tests on time and when it’s needed”.

“We try our best to keep a realistic and sustainable level, we don’t want to be price gouging, that’s not our intention, it’s purely to ensure people have tests on time,” Mr Ward said.

After a multitude of reports of people paying exorbitant prices for RATs, the federal government introduced measures to prohibit suppliers marking up the price at no more than 120 per cent.

Mr Ward condemned suppliers and retailers around the nation who were exploiting people’s urgent need and access to the tests.

“Our mission is to serve the people — we want people to have easy access at a realistic affordable price for the general population,” Mr Ward said.

“Right now testing is critical to continue the Territory’s economy, businesses cannot function without these tests.

“These tests are the oxygen to the economy.”

Originally published as Stelph Medical is flying Rapid Antigen Tests to the NT despite extra costs