Defective HIV rapid screening tests recalled in two provinces
The Health Department has recalled a batch of defective HIV screening tests.
NATIONAL NEWS – The Health Department has recalled a batch of defective HIV screening tests.
Reports indicate that the rapid-test kits were showing positive results on negative samples reported ENCA on Thursday.
When asked about the recalled tests, the department of health’s deputy director-general, Dr Yogan Pillay, denied the claims and explained to ENCA:
“Nobody got the wrong results. Let me explain how the testing is done. So when a person goes to one of our facilities to get tested, we use two tests. The first is a screening test and the next test is a confirmative test,” said Dr Pillay.
“If both tests come out with the same result then that result is communicated to the patent. If one test says positive and the other says negative, we call that a discordant result, that means it’s not the same. The blood of that patient is sent to a laboratory to do a third test and only when we get that result is the patient informed of their status.
“The tests we have recalled (are) the screening tests used only in KZN and the Western Cape. The other provinces have not started using the test so are not affected.
“We have therefore quarantined the dispatch of tests so it’s a test one batch of one manufacturer which has been used as a screening test.”
ENCA
