Health Ministry to probe unauthorized COVID tests at Private Hospitals

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Health says local health officials have been instructed to look into private hospitals that carry out PCR and Antigen tests without the permission of the Health Ministry.

Accordingly, upon collecting information, steps will be taken to expedite the registration of such private hospitals where COVID-19 tests are performed without registration.

The Ministry of Health also requests the relevant hospitals to inform the Medical Officer of Health in-charge of the area or the respective Chief Epidemiologist, if a person is diagnosed with COVID-19 following tests performed.

The Health Ministry pointed out that people diagnosed with COVID-19 following tests performed at unlicensed private hospitals, face the risk of death due to the lack of proper medical advice; adding that under such circumstances, an increase in home deaths is being observed.