Directive to conduct RATs weekly on senior citizens with chronic diseases absurd: Dr. Abeysinghe

Claiming that the President’s directive to conduct Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) at least once a week targeting the people over 60 years of age who are suffering from chronic diseases, was a useless exercise, former Chief Epidemiologist Nihal Abeysinghe said it would not contribute to prevent deaths of such people, but would only benefit those who import RAT tests kits.

He told a news conference convened by the National People's' Power (NPP) that the President has been misguided by someone on this directive.

He said the money spent on these RAT test kits should be utilized to support low income families during the lockdown period.

“This is wrong advice given to the President. Conducting RATs on people with chronic diseases weekly will not reduce mortality among those people. It will only benefit those who import RAT test kits,” he said.(Ajith Siriwardana)