The Basic diagnostic test to identify COVID-19 infected patients is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR test). In view of enhancing the diagnostic capacity of Sri Lanka, Asian Development (ADB) has extended assistance by establishing a new PCR lab at Colombo East Base Hospital through Health System Enhancement Project.
The construction work of this laboratory has been completed in very short period and the lab will be in operation by 1st week of May 2020. ADB will fund the whole project including purchase of medical equipment, reagents, consumables, laboratory IT solution and capacity development of the health care professionals.
As the new lab has a capacity of performing 500 tests for 12 hours it’s services will be available not only for the Colombo East Base Hospital but also for other COVID-19 treatment centers.
Apart from that Asian Development Bank has given a financial assistance of US $ 15Mn to the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services to combat COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka.