Pharmacists Association criticizes Health Ministry's decision not to allow antibody testing

Jordan

Published: 2020-11-21 14:39

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 23:20


Pharmacists Association criticizes Health Ministry's decision not to allow antibody testing
Pharmacists Association criticizes Health Ministry's decision not to allow antibody testing

The Head of the Jordan Pharmacists Association (JPA) Zaid Al-Kilani Saturday asked why the Ministry of Health has not allowed private laboratories to conduct antibody testing, stating the justification provided by the ministry is ‘not convincing.’

According to Kilani, the Ministry is reluctant to approve private lab testing to avoid non-compliance among those who find out that they have COVID-19.

Kilani told Roya that the Ministry suffers from severe shortage of pharmacists in light of the coronavirus crisis, a number of whom have died from COVID-19. He said the number of pharmacists employed by the Ministry of Health does not exceed 750, and denounced the lack cooperation to increase that number.

The Ministry needs at least 350 additional pharmacists to cover the needs of public hospitals and health centers, and contribute to combating the coronavirus pandemic. However, the Ministry recently announced it needs only more 25 pharmacists. 

The JPA is responsible for protecting its members and called on the Ministry to cooperate with them accordingly. He warned that accreditation certificates could be withdrawn from public hospitals if their conditions were not met.