After several complaints raised by states about the inaccuracy of the kits, ICMR had suggested withdrawing the kits from usage. It had also told the states to stop the procurement of pending kits in the future.
New Delhi| As multiple states complained about the rapid antibody testing kits over their inaccuracy, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) asked states to return the kits procured from China. But China has maintained that the kits are of good quality and has questioned the handling of the testing kits by Indian agencies.
After ICMR informed about the inaccuracy in rapid testing kits and the government’s plan to cancel the pending orders, Beijing has now expressed concern and questioned the handling of the kits.
Spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in New Delhi, Counselor Ji Rong said on Monday, “We have also learned that there are strict requirements for the storage, transportation and use of COVID-19 antibody rapid test kits. Any operation which is not carried out by professionals in accordance with the product specifications will lead to testing accuracy variations.”
ICMR has said that the kits showed wide variations in its test results which is against the assurances given by the manufacturers. States have been advised to return the faulty kits.
Stressing on the same, the Chinese ambassador further added, “ICMR made it clear that rapid antibody test kits should only be used for surveillance purposes instead of replacing RT-PCR test to diagnose and confirm the cases, and States are advised to strictly abide by the methods and purpose of the usage according to ICMR’s clear instructions.”
Ji Rong, defending the two medical companies which manufactured the rapid testing kits, said, “We have noticed that Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics already issued statements on this issue. They both stressed that their COVID-19 antibody rapid test kits had obtained the certification from the National Medical Products Administration of China (NMPA), meet the quality standards of China and exported countries, and have also been validated and approved by ICMR through National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune and considered as satisfactory products.”
“The COVID-19 antibody rapid test kits produced by these two Chinese companies have been exported to and well recognized in many countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America,” she further added.
Wondfo Biotech and Livzon Diagnostic were the two companies to export the ICMR 5 lakh testing kits. The kits were later distributed to states.
But after several complaints raised by states about the inaccuracy of the kits, ICMR suggested withdrawing the kits from usage. It had also told the states to stop the procurement of pending kits in the future.
While questioning the handling of kits by India, the spokesperson also stressed on and reminded of the help being provided by Beijing to India in order to fight Covid-19.
“China not only sincerely supports India in its fight against Covid-19, but also takes concrete actions to help. The quality of medical products exported from China is prioritized. It is unfair and irresponsible for certain individuals to label Chinese products as “faulty” and look at issues with preemptive prejudice,” she said in her statement.
“Regarding the current issue occurred, we hope the Indian side could respect China’s goodwill and sincerity, strengthen communication timely with relevant Chinese companies based on facts, and resolve it reasonably and properly,” Ji Rong further added.
Concluding her statement by extending support in India’s fight against Coronavirus, Ji Rong said, “We will continue to support India’s efforts in fighting Covid-19, strengthen medical and health cooperation, and jointly work with India to overcome the difficulties at an early date, so as to safeguard the safety and health of our peoples as well as global and regional public health security.”
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