Times Of Swaziland: COVID-19 TEST PRICE REDUCED

COVID-19 TEST PRICE REDUCED
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BY SITHEMBILE HLATSHWAYO on 13/12/2021 08:42:00


MBABANE – Travellers have been given some relief following that the COVID-19
PCR test prices have been reduced from E700 to E500 in Eswatini.
This is with effect from today (Monday December 13, 2021).
It is also good news to the business community in Eswatini, although there is a
feeling that the prices should be further reduced to at least E250. PCR is an
acronym for polymerase chain reaction. According to News24.com, Ampath and
Lancet laboratories reduced their PCR tests from E850 to E500. BioLab Eswatini
also announced reduced prices to adhere to the statement made by the Competition
Commission in South Africa yesterday to have the COVID-19 PCR prices reduced.
Lifespan Diagnosis supported by Business Eswatini (BE) has also cut the prices
from E700 to E500. In an interview with Swaziland Interstate Transport
Association Chairperson Dumisani Maphanga, he stated that they appreciated the
cut in the PCR test prices.
Business
Maphanga said their business was almost non-existent due to the high costs of
the PCR tests as most people used alternative means to cross to neighbouring
countries. “The tests are rather too expensive for the people. At least they
should be cut to E250,” Maphanga suggested. He stated that only one kombi
crossed to South Africa per day, which was bad for the other public transport
operators, while other routes, including Nelspruit, were no longer operational.
The chairperson said it was unfortunate that the country was heavily dependent
on SA in almost everything and said in as much as the prices had been reduced,
some people would continue to cross illegally to avoid paying for the PCR tests
as they remained high.
Lifespan Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Zinhle Matsebula said there had been
talks between themselves and suppliers in SA, who supplied big laboratories to
be part of their database. Matsebula stated that what made them fail in the past
were the low numbers of people testing for COVID-19. She said they had to
promise improving their numbers in terms of sustainability. Matsebula stated
that they noted that the prices were high because the supplies for reagents were
also costly and the big laboratories which dominated had closed supplies to
them.
Prices
She said Competitions Commission SA had been able to assist them in being able
to buy at competitive prices from suppliers. She said their numbers were
increasing and the cost of the product had become much affordable. Matsebula
said they also wanted to allow the businesspeople to move at affordable rates.
BE CEO Nathi Dlamini said the cut in COVID-19 PCR test prices had been long and
protracted effort by many players in the region.  Dlamini said Lifespan and BE
had been at the forefront of these efforts of advocating for a reduction in the
price for PCR tests. “People must note that the chemicals known as reagents,
which are used to produce the tests, are manufactured overseas and are sold in
US Dollars,” he said.
Dlamini said end users like Lifespan did not enjoy good profit margins, hence
they initiated the regional effort to advocate for a reduction in prices which
had now been done. “The entire supply chain market had to be lobbied and one
has to give credit to all concerned for the sustained pressure,” he added. The
CEO said BE had always helped sustain the pressure for the price cut and were
heaving a sigh of relief as they acknowledged everyone’s efforts. Dlamini said
the prices may not have been reduced substantially, but felt it was a good
start.