By Caroline Konje
Lancet Clinical Laboratories Chief Executive Officer Dr Charles Muronda says they have no control over reducing the price of the covid 19 testing as this is dictated to by the laws of demand supply.
There has been an outcry from the public over the US$50 to US$60 price of the PRC test, which has seen many people failing to get tested but treat themselves through home remedies.
Speaking as a panelist during the first series of the Yafm covid-19 webinar running under the theme beating covid -19 infections Dr Muronda said the tests are on demand globally, thus putting pressure on the pricing.
“The tests are normally for the sick but people are getting tested more including those who want to travel and as a result the PCR tests are limited.
“We would like the price to go down but the tests are needed worldwide and China is the only major supplier of the equipment hence the huge demand.” he said.
Speaking on the same conference Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Larry Mavhima concurred on the issue of pricing saying as much as it is expensive to get tested it is better to choose life over death.
Giving his testimony as a covid -19 survivor Minister Mavhima urged the public to take self isolation as a way of saving lives not punishing people.
The virtual conference which was moderated by Yafm chairman Mr Munyaradzi Hwengwere saw the United Nations, medical experts, government officials, business people coming together in a bid to find solutions on how to beat the Covid19 infections.
