Who wanted the air-purification systems?
The air-purification systems have been removed from the list, said Dr. Jayasundara Bandara, the Director of ‘Sri Lanka’s COVID19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness’ Project, who readily agreed to meet the Sunday Times on Thursday.
“I cannot accept that list as it is, because it needs approval,” he said, explaining that he wants the Secretary and some experts from the Health Ministry to take the final decision after getting expert opinion. The final decision is expected next week.
When the Sunday Times queried as to who wanted these air-purification systems, Dr. Bandara said: “I don’t quite know exactly who wanted these air purifiers. When I asked, they said that anaesthetists have requested them. Then I contacted the microbiologists and they sent me their reports and they are saying that microbiologically they have not recommended. In the original list, there was a request for 300 systems, they have not given me the amended list yet, but I heard that they are removing them (air-purification systems).
“For equipment such as this, we said we would provide the information but the decision should be taken by a top team who can really make policy decisions and be held accountable. This hadn’t been done yet, but with the new Secretary it will be done soon. We will await the Secretary’s recommendation.”
Dr. Bandara stressed that they have not confirmed anything. “This is not just a shopping list we can spend on. We said earlier that we cannot make any hurried decisions so we are still evaluating and have asked the Secretary to appoint a committee. The project will not rush into purchases, but let the ministry evaluate the dire need and what should be the delivery time. Accordingly we will take the decision.”
When asked how the procurement agency, UNICEF, sent a list of bids after inviting such bids, he said that there were two – the local market survey and the availability globally.
“The local market survey list which collects the local bidders went directly to the Medical Supply and Biomedical Divisions. Then only did I ask for the list,” said Dr. Bandara, adding that it is thereafter that those two lists would be evaluated.