No subsidy for private tests

ST John Ambulance (SJA) can facilitate Covid-19 testing for fast results through a private laboratory but requires fees because the Government does not subsidise it, chief executive officer Matt Cannon says.
St John became aware through reports that universities required students to have a Covid-19 test before returning to school.
Cannon said St John acknowledged attempts to put in place Covid-19 safe practices but they were concerned that there were no mechanisms in place to do the Covid-19 testing for asymptomatic students affordably without significant Government subsidy.
“Currently, there are only two avenues for the Covid-19 testing specifically for persons who are asymptomatic,” he said.
“Firstly, through the Central public health laboratory (CPHL), the testing is being subsidised by the Government so there is no fee for the test. However, test results take between four and sometimes up to 30 days to be returned.
“The second option is through a private laboratory (which should be authorised by the National Control Centre and should have endorsement from the World Health Organisation) in Port Moresby or abroad and the results can be given to the patient within 24 hours.
“St John’s role is not performing the actual PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test.
“Testing requires expensive machinery and highly-trained laboratory scientists to operate and interpret the results.
“St John is assisting the public by performing swabbing at a drive thru in Port Moresby and also at people’s homes when required.
“Once the swab is taken from the patient, it is sent to either the Government laboratory or the private laboratory – depending on the patient’s preference.”
Cannon said if St John sent the sample to a private laboratory, a high fee was charged to St John which it had no choice but to pass that fee back to the patient because there was no subsidy from the government when using the private laboratory.
“Any proceeds from swabbing (for samples that would be sent to private laboratory) are reinvested into the public free emergency ambulance service to save lives of the poor, disadvantaged and the sick,” he said.
“The Covid-19 is circulating in our PNG communities.
“We, of course, need to remain vigilant and observe basic measures such as social distancing, hand-washing and mask-wearing.”