Donation of mobile CKD screening laboratories from China

Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is one of the main partners of the JRDC. Eight states of the art mobile CKD screening laboratory vehicles worth more than 660 million rupees were donated by the Chinese Government to Sri Lanka as part of the collaboration MOU on CKDu with the Ministry of Health (MoH) Sri Lanka, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The National Renal Disease Prevention and Research Unit of the MoH was the responsible organization that coordinated the request, MOU agreements, and all activities to obtain these mobile labs as a donation from the Government of China.

The mobile laboratory vehicles are equipped with laboratory machines such as a fully automated biochemistry analyzer, Haemoatology analyzer, electrolyte analyzer, Urine analyzer, and immune chemistry analyzer. It also has laboratory instruments such as the centrifuge, thermostatic water bath, refrigerators, water purification system, and microscope. Each vehicle also contains a handheld Doppler as a diagnostic instrument. These vehicles have an inbuilt water supply and electricity system. The lab can function with electricity obtained through the normal grid or generator.

These mobile laboratory vehicles will function to conduct CKD/CKDu screening programmes in CKDu-affected areas and assist to conduct research activities. They are also useful in disaster situations. These mobile laboratories were given to eight CKDu highly endemic districts, namely Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Ampara, Kurunegala, Matale, and Badulla.

The commissioning of these mobile laboratory vehicles took place on September 26, 2022, at the new OPD complex of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (which is also a donation by China) with the participation of Hon. Minister of Health and HE the Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka.