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Health Ministry notes limited supply of RAT kits 

09 Feb 2022

 
  • Cites hike in global demand; suggests PCR as alternative 
  • 400,000 RAT kits expected within a week, assures Prof. Jayasumana 
  BY Buddhika Samaraweera  Responding to reports from various quarters that there is a shortage of rapid antigen test (RAT) kits across the country, the Health Ministry stated that Sri Lanka receives a limited supply of RAT kits as the demand for the same has increased globally in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking at a media briefing held yesterday (8), Health Ministry’s Communications Director, Public Health Services Deputy Director General, and Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Heraths said: “In the current context, the demand for RAT kits around the world has increased. Therefore, Sri Lanka receives these kits in very limited quantities. However, the country is receiving them continuously.”  He further said that there is a problem in obtaining RAT kits for the private sector as well. Therefore, as a remedy, Dr. Herath said that the relevant authorities have been instructed to conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests when RATs are not possible. Meanwhile, State Minister of Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana stated in Parliament yesterday that Sri Lanka will receive approximately 400,000 RAT kits in total in the next seven days. “There was a shortage of antigen test kits last week, but now we have taken necessary measures to avoid this shortage,” he stated. The College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) on Monday (7) alleged that there is a severe shortage of RAT kits in the country at present and that the same has resulted in the process of identifying Covid-19-infected persons not being carried out properly. Speaking to The Morning, CMLS President Ravi Kumudesh stated that at present, they do not receive the number of RAT kits required by the medical laboratories, adding that it would greatly affect the entire process of identifying Covid-19 infections all around the country.  Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe and Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Ministry Secretary Dr. S.K. Rathnayake were unavailable for comment.


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