PCR testing can be increased by 300% overnight, say govt. Medical Lab Technologists

‘No additional machines, personnel required’  

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) President Ravi Kumudesh yesterday disputed a Health Ministry claim that that PCR testing could not be increased in the short run.

Kumudesh said that there was no immediate need for more PCR machines, and the ones already available could be used to conduct more tests if the Health Ministry so desired.

“With the existing machines and the personnel handling them, we can easily increase PCR testing by 300% overnight,” Kumudesh said.

Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath claimed at a press conference yesterday that although there was a demand for increasing PCR testing, that task could not be carried out so easily.

He said there would have to be more PCR machines and more specialised personnel such as medical Laboratory Technologists and microbiologists, for PCR testing to be ramped up. There were not enough PCR machines,he said.

However, when the CMLS President was asked for comment, he said if the Health Ministry was keen to conduct more tests, the available PCR machines and personnel were sufficient.

Kumudesh said that some existing PCR machines could not be operated for want of reagents.

“None of the state-run medical labs are operating at full capacity. The facilities can operate 24 hours a day and there are facilities and personnel to carry out the task. All our members are willing to work longer hours given the pandemic situation,” Kumudesh said.

There was no shortage of PCR machines in the world market as countries like China that produce them were open and if the Health Ministry wanted to acquire them, it could do so easily, the CMLS President said.

Kumudesh said his association’s request that rapid antigen tests be conducted on suspected COVID infected OPD patients had gone unheeded. The delays in PCR tests conducted at state institutions had impeded surgical and medical procedures there, he said.