• Would not contribute to prevent deaths of such people, but would only benefit those who import RAT tests kits

By Ajith Siriwardana   

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, a top health official said.   

Former Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe said yesterday it would not contribute to prevent deaths of such people, but would only benefit those who import RAT test 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.   
Dr. Abeysinghe 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.   

Dr.Abeysinghe said the quarantine curfew, which was imposed for ten days should be extended by another ten days to successfully curtail the spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths caused due to complications.  
 
He said that an extension of the travel restriction would contribute to curtailing the infections, mortality, congestion in hospitals and health workers getting infected with the virus. All the medical experts and specialists were of the opinion that travel restrictions should be in force for ten more days.   

Dr. Abeysinghe said vaccination was not the only solution for Covid-19 and that it was the best solution against the virus. “The vaccination is not the only solution against the Covid pandemic. For instance, in Israel, more than 78 percent of its population over 12 had been vaccinated.   

However, there is an increase in Covid cases and mortality again in Israel is due to the spread of the Delta variant. So, we need to continue adhering to health practices such as maintaining one-metre distance, washing hands and wearing face masks,” he said.   

•  Money spent on these RAT test kits should be utilized to support low income families during the lockdown period