The PCR tests of passengers have been given to a private hospital without being tested in the laboratory at the Katunayake Airport, according to an association of the country’s leading health professionals.
“All the money-making tests that come into the airport lab go out to one private hospital. Some use political force. ”
Ravi Kumudesh, President of the Association of Health Professionals, made this revelation addressing a media briefing held in Colombo on Tuesday, March 23.
He also accused some people of trying to close down the laboratory at the airport and set up other business laboratories there.
“I’m trying to set up a foreign lab and pay about $ 35 for it.”
Ravi Kumudesh, President of the Association of Health Professionals, says that the recent statement made by the Minister of Health that 80 million rupees would be spent on daily PCR tests in Sri Lanka is completely untrue. There is no reason to spend even ten million rupees on tests.
The professional doctor emphasizes that around Rs. 10 million could be earned by directing the tests of passengers who are being smuggled to a private hospital to the laboratory at the Bandaranaike International Airport alone.
“100 million worth of equipment is drying in the airport laboratory today. It can not be used. It can’t be raised. The Ministry of Health has not made a decision regarding that. ”
Ravi Kumudesh points out that aerial PCRs of 3000-4000 are done daily in a private laboratory and emphasizes that one test costs around fifty dollars.
He further stated that it is ridiculous to give that money to a private sector, depriving it of the opportunity to obtain laboratory services.