Kumudesh: Some private hospitals tricking people into undergoing quarantine

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Some private hospitals were giving false positive PCR test reports to trick people into buying quarantine and treatment packages, President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS), Ravi Kumudesh alleged yesterday.

Kumudesh told The Island that certain labs had stopped cooperating with the Ministry of Health by not providing details of those who tested positive from PCR tests.

“Recently we heard that a lab, attached to a private hospital had destroyed over 200 PCR test results of garment factory workers from Thulhiriya. The Ministry has done nothing against this lab and it continues to operate.”

CMLS President said that a few days ago a pregnant woman had got a PCR test from a lab attached to a private hospital in Thalawathugoda, and it had turned positive. Thereafter, the hospital offered a quarantine and treatment package exceeding Rs. 300,000.  However, the woman sought a second opinion and was subjected to a PCR test at another lab.

“She tested negative. She got a third test done, and tested negative. What if she had not tested again? She would have wasted a lot of money and would have been exposed to risk of contracting the disease,” Kumudesh said, adding that the government had created an environment for the private sector to fleece patients. Despite a series of irregularities, the Health Ministry had done nothing to supervise private hospitals and private labes, Kumudesh said.