Tamil Nadu to return 24,000 rapid testing kits procured from two Chinese firms

Tamil Nadu government has decided to return 24,000 rapid test kits received by m and stated that current orders also stand cancelled as per Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) directives. This came after states were advised by ICMR to stop using kits procured from two companies — Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagstics — and return m to suppliers.

"As per ICMR order, all 24,000 kits received by Tamil Nadu government are being returned," Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar said in a statement. re was "expenditure incurred" by state government, he said, adding all remaining orders were also being cancelled in line with ICMR directive.

READ | ICMR Advises States To Stop Us Of COVID Rapid Testing Kits From 2 Chinese Manufacturers

government and opposition DMK clashed over pricing of kits, with latter demanding 'transparency' while ruling dispensation asserted that procurement was done based on rates fixed by Centre. On DMK president MK Stalin questioning state government's decision of paying Rs 600 for a kit priced at Rs 245, Tamil Nadu CMO said that Stalin released statement without proper kwledge.

Health Minister C Vijayabaskar said that state has "highest number of recovery cases. It stands at 56.8 per cent and mortality rate at 1.2 per cent."  state of Tamil Nadu has so far reported a total of 1885 cases of COVID, with 1020 recoveries and 24 deaths.

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ICMR cancels 15 lakh test kits' order

Indian Council of Medical Research had issued an advisory to states across country halting use of rapid antibody tests procured from two Chinese manufacturers. Acting on faulty anti-body testing kits, ICMR, on Monday, has cancelled order of 15 lakh rapid anti-body test kits from China. ICMR has also advised states to return kits to supplier as kits have failed in spite of showing 'early promise of good performance for surveillance purposes'.

According to an ICMR official, Guanzhou Wondfo Biotech provided about 5 lakh rapid antibody test kits while Zhuhai Livzon provided 2 lakh kits to four suppliers across country. Several states including Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal had complained of 'faulty' testing kits causing a delay inaccurate results. 

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READ | ICMR Cancels All 15 Lakh Anti-body Test Kits Ordered From China After Inaccurate Results

(with ncies input)