India cancels purchase of rapid test kit bdnews24.com



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The BBC reports that the central government is withdrawing the use of Chinese-made rapid test kits in several states.

This rapid test kit detects the presence of antibodies in the blood of a suspected Covid-19 infected person.

Authorities can quickly determine the extent of a new coronavirus infection in a specific area, as these kits can bear fruit in as little as 30 minutes, says the BBC.

But this rapid test kit cannot detect the coronavirus. That is why many scientists have questioned the use of this kit.

China has denied India’s allegations that its rapid test kits are defective.

“China prioritizes its quality in exporting medical supplies. The way some people call Chinese products ‘faulty’ based on preconceived notions is irresponsible and unfair,” Zhi Rang, spokesman for the Chinese embassy in China said on Tuesday. India.

Concerns that not enough tests are being conducted to detect the new coronavirus have prompted several Indian states to pressure the country’s medical research center (ICMR) to obtain permission to test the rapid test kit.

Although initially reluctant, ICMR then lifted the hurdle in importing rapid test kits from two Chinese companies.

According to the BBC, after field tests, several states in India complained that the correct results for these kits were only 5 percent.

The kits have shown “negative” antibody test results in patients who have been diagnosed with Covid-19, they say.

These kits failed the ICMR quality control test.

The situation became even more murky when the Delhi High Court set the maximum price for the kits on Monday, indicating that the Indian government was charging exorbitant prices for the kits.

Authorities later said the kits were not paid in advance by the government; That is why the government did not lose a single rupee by canceling the purchase order.



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