Plan for rapid PCR tests at airport: Govt lab technicians protest

COLOMBO: A state sector union has opposed plans to allow private labs to provide Rapid PCR tests to passengers departing to countries like the UAE, saying the government can do it and equipment should be bought fast and results can be given ‘free of charge’.

On Aug. 9, Sri Lanka Health Ministry issued a letter to Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka recommending nine private sector laboratories to do the Rapid PCR tests.

The nine recommended private laboratories are Nawaloka Hospitals, Lanka Hospital Labotary, Durdans Hospital Labotary, Genetic Laboratary- Asiri Hospital, Credence Genomics Pvt Ltd, Hemas Hospitals, Kings Hospital Colombo, Forte Diagnostics, Melsta Laboratory, according Ravi Kumadesh, President, College of Medical Laboratory Science Sri Lanka.

The Health Ministry had also recommends Molbio True Lan TM Quattro PCR and Genechecker UF300 PCR as verified systems to conduct the rapid PCR tests and to be set up at the airport by facilitators.

However government lab technicians are opposing the move saying the government should do it.

“.. We strongly disagree on the recommendation of unapproved instrument and private sector to conduct tests, since there are 16 rapid PCR units successfully running at its optimum condition at the government institutes and another 14 rapid PCR units tender is on hold even while having president approval,” Ravi Kumudesh,president, College of Medical Laboratory Science Sri Lanka in a letter addressed to the president.

“Hence, we kindly request us to provide the rapid PCR instruments to conduct required tests since we have the capability to conduct tests free of charge for foreign employees.”