Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi opened a moleculardiagnostic laboratory at the Colombo East Base Hospital with a capacity to conduct 500 PCR tests per day built at a cost of Rs. 250 million with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently.
Ninety-six PCR tests within two hours and reports within four hours could be produced at the laboratory. It also helps cut down the time spent on PCR testing by one-third spent from the time of obtaining samples to issuing reports. The new laboratory has the latest technology provided by the Global Genomics Organization, BGI through its Sri Lankan agent DHS.
In addition to conducting PCR tests to detect Covid-19, the modern laboratory has facilities to conduct PCR tests to detect other communicable diseases and cancers.
The Muto Mated Sample Extractor at the laboratory will speed upthe testing. The Sri Lanka Army has provided civil engineeringservices.
It can conduct 1,000 PCR tests per day. Minister Wanniarachchi said that under the direction of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has provided opportunities for health staff treating Covid-19 patients to spend a brief holiday with their families at five-star hotels.