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Government lab techs bemoan lack of rapid PCR machines

14 Sep 2021

  • Alleges health authorities attempting to cancel tender
By Dinitha Rathnayake The rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test machines approved for import by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in May are yet to be received, and it is suspected that the health authorities are attempting to cancel the relevant tender, according to College of Medical Laboratory Science President Ravi Kumudesh. Speaking to The Morning, he said that the President had agreed to bring down 30 rapid PCR test machines in May. “However, no action was taken by the health authorities, as we have had to inform the President about this matter on several occasions.” According to Kumudesh, the President had agreed to call a tender for 14 rapid PCR test machines during the first week of June. However, he claimed, it was revealed that senior officials in the Health Ministry had attempted to bring down rapid PCR test machines without the approval of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), and not according to the technical regulations. “For one year now, we have tried to get these machines. However, a rapid PCR testing facility has been set up in the vicinity of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake by a privately owned hospital for travellers to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in view of facilitating the passengers travelling to the UAE, so that rapid PCR tests can be conducted for Covid-19,” stated Kumudesh. “The laboratory is operated by a private hospital laboratory and the service has been available since 14 August 2021 to facilitate the passengers who are mandatorily required to have a negative rapid PCR report obtained within six hours prior to the scheduled departure to enter their destinations. If a private hospital can establish this facility within a few weeks, it is a question of the efficiency of the Health Ministry.” Meanwhile, Health Ministry Communications Director, Public Health Services Deputy Director General, and Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Herath said that rapid PCR tests should be implemented for travellers who arrive in Sri Lanka. However, rapid PCR tests are currently provided only for those leaving the country. Travellers who arrive in Sri Lanka have to undergo a PCR test in a hotel, and have to wait for 24 hours to get the results, according to the current regulations. Dr. Herath said that rapid PCR tests are not so common in Sri Lanka and that the availability of equipment is also low. “If there is a request from the passengers who arrive in Sri Lanka to implement a rapid PCR test, health officials are open to considering it,” he added.

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