SJB raises questions on Rapid Antigen tests

Raising questions on the newly imported Rapid Antigen test kits, the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday charged that the kits have been imported into the country before the evaluation of tenders were completed and before obtaining the validation from the Health Ministry.

Former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne told a press conference that kits have been imported within three days since the opening of tenders.

"Tenders were opened on October 28 this year while 31 companies responded by November 2. However, two companies have brought down the kits into the country by November 5. This was even before the valuation was completed by the technical evaluation committee. Technical Evaluation Committee usually sends the kits to expert organisations for testing. In addition, the Health Ministry has to do the validation which simply means issuing guidelines on how to use the test kits. The kits have been brought down before the completion of these activities," the former minister alleged.

"The testing kits have already been used on patients at IDH," he added.

Besides, he said Rapid Antigen test could be a success only if a patient is tested within five days after getting infected. "Rapid Antigen test has to been done within five days after a person is exposed to COVID-19 virus. Accordingly, it is important to bring down Rapid Antibody Test as well to ensure accurate testing," he also said.(Yohan Perera)