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PCR testing transforming into a mafia: Authorities crack the whip

30 May 2021

  • No more second warnings, only permit cancellation: DGHS

  • Government and private sector must work together at this time: APHNH

By Yumiko Perera   The surge in Covid-19 infections has undoubtedly placed a significant strain on Sri Lanka’s healthcare system, and to ensure the healthcare structure doesn’t reach its tipping point, the State and the private sector are required to put in a collective effort in these trying times. The Ministry of Health recently issued an ultimatum to a leading private hospital in Colombo that had allegedly conducted over five times the allocated number of PCR tests, and as per the Ministry, some of the test results may have even been compromised. According to Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena, through a general circular that had been issued earlier this year, after taking multiple factors into consideration, private hospitals, along with certain private sector laboratories, had been allowed to conduct PCR tests under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. The circular stipulates that all the approved laboratories are expected to carry out Covid-19 testing while adhering to the guidelines of the circulars and protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and also conforming to the External Quality Assurance Programme of the Medical Research Institute (MRI). The daily performance and the testing capacity of private laboratories are expected to be reported to the Ministry of Health through an online portal and also the Epidemiology Unit under the said circular. Warning that if any private hospital exceeds the allocated PCR test limit, the Health Ministry would have to resort to the cancellation of permits, Dr. Gunawardena revealed to The Sunday Morning that a second warning would not be given and that the authorities would not hesitate to take stringent action against those who fail to adhere to the Ministry’s regulations. “We got a complaint regarding a particular private hospital that had conducted PCR tests exceeding the limit imposed. We immediately warned them, and the warning we issued was the final one. After this, if we receive any complaint, we will cancel their permit,” Dr. Gunawardena said to The Sunday Morning. The private hospital in question had allegedly conducted nearly 7,000 PCR tests per day, even though they were allowed to conduct only 1,200 PCR tests daily, as per the regulations put in place by the Ministry of Health. The same private hospital had allegedly conducted PCR tests for a garment factory under a leading apparel sector multinational company in Thulhiriya and also stands accused of destroying the information of those who had tested positive for Covid-19, putting so many lives at stake, it is learnt. The Sunday Morning reached out to Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes (APHNH) President Dr. Lakith Peiris for more insight into the matter. “As an association, we strongly advise all hospitals and laboratories to stick to the guidelines and make sure they do not exceed the number of samples they are allowed to process,” he said. According to Dr. Peiris, any laboratory would have a capacity, and if this capacity is exceeded, it may result in a compromised and questionable output of results. Reiterating that private sector laboratories are expected to go through a very stringent dossier in terms of maintaining quality, Dr. Peiris further emphasised that it is done under the watchful eyes of the Ministry of Health, along with the Epidemiology Unit, wherein private laboratories and hospitals are expected to strictly abide by the regulations that have been put forth. Pointing out that the private sector plays an equally important role when it comes to safeguarding the people, Dr. Peiris went on to say that it is a battle the State and the private sectors must fight alongside each other, especially given the circumstances the country is facing at present. “We will continue to help the Government as well as the country in conducting PCR tests, and I also hope the Government in return will not curtail or have restrictions on the private sector and will take into consideration the contribution of the private sector to the healthcare services on the island,” Dr. Peiris said. Stating that the state sector alone would not suffice to meet the requirements of the healthcare sector and the people of the country at present, Dr. Peris said: “The private sector will continue to contribute towards PCR testing; we all know when there is a surge like this that you need to make sure you do more and more tests.” The involvement of the private sector, when it comes to the provision of healthcare, be it as direct providers of services such as hospitals or laboratories, is an essential aspect that needs to be taken into consideration. “The private sector will continue to do the PCR testing and be compliant with what the Government has laid out in order to overcome these hard times,” Dr. Peiris said in conclusion. PHOTO LALITH PERERA


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