Private healthcare sector requests share of BIA PCR testing

Claims 60% total PCR workload handled by them

While congratulating the Government on the recent opening of the PCR testing facility at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), private hospitals have requested the government to consider also accommodating local private sector partners in such testing.

Urging the government to take into consideration the expertise already available in Sri Lanka, the Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes (APHNH) has emphasised that they have already made significant investment in PCR testing facilities and infrastructure in the country.

In a letter to the Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, APHNH secretary Dr Sunil Ratnapriya has noted that the private sector laboratories perform approximately 60% 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 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 said.

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 by 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 the initiative mentioned above.” Dr Ratnapreya concluded.