NHSL stops most lab tests; officials, private sector make a killing

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL), Colombo, has stopped most of the biochemical tests due to the non-availability of the reagents, President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) Ravi Kumudesh told The Island yesterday.

“Most patients are asked to get these tests done in private labs. A number of senior officials at the NHSL are connected to private labs. Therefore, they have no interest in sorting out the reagent shortage,” he said.Kumudesh said the Health Ministry had not been officially notified about the reagent shortage at the NHSL.

“Among the tests that are not conducted are ALT, AST, Bilirubin, Creatinine, Cholesterol, HDL, ALP Protein, Magnesium, Calcium, Amylase and TSH. These are very common tests. Even the Emergency and Essential Services Laboratory can only conduct a few tests. These tests are done using reagents produced at the NHSL,” he said.

The CMLS head said that the shortage of reagents was not due to shortage of funds. Some influential officials wanted laboratory tests done by the private sector while others allowed a few companies to control the reagent market, he said.

“These officials want to purchase some reagents that are not even registered with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority. There are some companies, registered with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority that can supply reagents at a low price. However, powerful officers insist on the products of their pet companies. Because of this artificially created shortage, the public is suffering,” he said.

Kumudesh said that 60 million dollars remained in the Indian credit line for medicine. Instead of buying reagents from India, some officials want to buy ‘branded’ products, Kumudesh said.Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath, contacted for comment, said that there might be shortages of reagents at the NHSL, but supplies would be replenished shortly.