China ‘concerned’ as India decides to stop use of rapid test kits
China on Tuesday said it was “deeply concerned” over the evaluation result of the COVID-19 rapid testing kits supplied to India by two Chinese companies and subsequent decision by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to not use the equipment, and hoped that New Delhi will resolve the issue “reasonably and properly”.
By : migrator
Update: 2020-04-28 21:10 GMT
New Delhi
The ICMR on Monday asked States and Union Territories to stop using the test kits procured from the Chinese companies Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics due to “wide variations” in their performance.
“We are deeply concerned with the evaluation results and the decision made by the Indian Council of Medical Research.
China attaches great importance to the quality of exported medical products,” Chinese embassy Spokeperson Ji Rong said. In a statement, she also said it is “unfair and irresponsible for certain individuals
to label Chinese products as ‘faulty’ and look at the issues with preemptive prejudice.” Ji, however, did not clarify who are the individuals she was referring to. At the same time, the spokesperson said China will continue to support India’s fight against the pandemic and will jointly work with New Delhi to overcome the challenge “at an early date” to protect people of the two countries from the infection.
India procured around 500,000 rapid antibody test kits from the two Chinese firms nearly two weeks back and they were distributed to several states reporting rising cases of the coronavirus infection.
Indigenous testing kits will be available in May: Vardhan Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday said that the country will be able to produce indigenous coronavirustesting kits by May.
“We will be able to produce RT-PCR and antibody test kits in India by May. All processes are in advanced stage and production will start after getting approval from ICMR. It will help us in meeting our target of one lakh tests per day by May 31,” the Union Health Minister said.
Earlier, he held a review meeting via video conference with the Delhi LG, Delhi Health Minister, MCD
Commissioners, DMs and DCPs of all districts of Delhi and Central/State and District surveillance officers and heads of government hospitals.
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