Health Ministry equips private labs with antigen testing
Published:Thursday | January 14, 2021 | 5:03 PM
The Health and Wellness Ministry is reporting that six private laboratories now have the benefit of 30,000 antigen test kits to support national testing efforts for COVID-19 following a donation from the Ministry today.
"This is another example of public-private partnership around testing as part of our COVID-19 response as a country. It is another case of our working together as a team, as a country to protect our population — our locals and those who visit," stated Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, in a statement.
It was indicated that the donation of 30,000 SD Biosensor test kits will support the laboratories' offer of testing beginning next Monday, January 18, pending the arrival of their own supplies within two weeks.
The labs are Microlabs Limited, Biomedical, MDLink, Winchester Medical, Technological Solutions Limited, and Baywest Wellness.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Helen Christian, Chief Executive Officer for Biomedical, welcomed the donation.
"This is much appreciated. It will help as to rollout and ramp up the testing across Jamaica for our fellow Jamaicans as well as for our tourists and to ensure we work together to combat this COV1D-19 pandemic," she was quoted as saying.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness is also working with four other private entities to offer PCR testing — the gold standard in testing for the virus that causes COVID-19 — within another two to four weeks.
The details of those efforts will be made public later.
Today's donation follows a Sunday Gleaner report where it was reported that hundreds of Jamaicans are reportedly turning to unauthorised COVID-19 laboratories and makeshift facilities for antigen (rapid) tests, as the Government’s insufficiency is being blamed for a rising underground market with questionable ethical practices.
READ: COVID-19 black market - Gov’t inadequacy blamed for surge in underground virus testing sites
The Ministry says it continues to encourage Jamaicans to remain vigilant in the exercise of COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures, including the wearing of masks, physical distancing, and the frequent washing and/or sanitising of hands.
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