Request made for private healthcare sector involvement in BIA PCR testing

• Private Hospitals request government to prioritize local investors for partnerships of this nature
• Notes that approval for additional private laboratories for testing is yet to be received

While congratulating the government on the recent opening of the PCR testing facility at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), private hospitals made an appeal to the government to consider local partners for initiatives such as this, taking in to consideration the expertise already available in Sri Lanka.  

The press release by the Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes (APHNH) noted that significant investments have already been made to strengthen PCR testing facilities and infrastructure in the country. 

In a letter to the Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, APHNH secretary Dr. Sunil Ratnapreya noted that the private sector laboratories performed approximately 60 percent of the total PCR workload of the country, and almost all the PCR requirements of the tourism industry, BOI (Board of Investment) and quarantine centres in hotels, with results being released within 24-36 hours.

“At the onset of the pandemic, our member hospitals have invested in equipment and infrastructure based on the understanding that we continue to work with the Government to support the country’s pandemic response. However, the partnership forged with a foreign company to establish the laboratory at the BIA comes as a surprise to us,” APHNH Secretary Dr. Ratnapreya said. 

“It is our humble request that the government prioritize and consider local healthcare investors as a partner in efforts such as this, given the expertise and international standards upheld by our member hospitals over the past two years,” he added.

APHNHs’ appeal comes when members are awaiting approval from the Ministry of Health (MOH) to establish additional private hospital laboratories catering to PCR testing at regional level.

The Association noted that a request has been made to the Minister of Health, to expedite the procedure for approval of new PCR laboratories in the ministry, as there are fully equipped private labs already awaiting to commence testing.

“We sincerely hope that the government will consider our request and take necessary action to invite the private healthcare sector to be part of initiative mentioned above.” Dr. Ratnapreya concluded.