Early Times Report
New Delhi, Apr 13: India ordered 500,000 kits from China which have not yet arrived
Amid criticism low testing and delayed import of testing kits, the Union government on Monday assured people that India currently has enough stock to conduct Covid-19 testing for the next six weeks.
Speaking at the daily press conference, Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said, “No need to be scared, we can test for the next six weeks with the stock we have.”
The ICMR also announced that 14 institutions of eminence have been identified which will mentor medical colleges in their allotted area and facilitate setting up of Covid-19 testing facilities, as part of government’s plan to urgently scale up India’s coronavirus testing capacity. Institutions identified include Aiims and Nimhans.
Additionally, a core strategy group set up in CSIR will also work on providing economical and rapid diagnostics.
The statement comes days after the Health Ministry admitted that rapid testing kits ordered from Chinese suppliers had still not reached India.
India ordered 500,000 kits from Chinese suppliers on March 30, however, the kits have not yet been delivered.
The ICMR and the health ministry had assured that the kits will be arriving soon. “The kits haven’t reached yet but could reach anytime now,” said Lav Agarwal, joint secretary, health ministry, in a briefing on April 10.
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