World Vision, Citi Foundation support anti-body testing efforts

Presenting the antibody testing kit, from left:  University of Sri Jayewardenepura Centre for Dengue Research Director Prof. Neelika Malavige,  Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit Director Operations Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Citi Corporate Affairs Head Shanaka Waduge and World Vision Lanka Director, Marketing and Engagement Clarence Sutharsan 

As a part of its response towards COVID-19 prevention, World Vision joined hands with Citi Foundation to provide 1,100 ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) antibody testing kits to the Centre for Dengue Research of the Sri Jayewardenepura University. 

These testing kits will help us identify COVID-19 patients who have developed antibodies and facilitate their discharge from hospitals sooner,” says Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Director Operations of the Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit. “The medical professionals can now determine whether a person’s body produced an antibody response to COVID 19 —indicating past exposure to and recent infection by the novel coronavirus”. 

“When patients are diagnosed using the anti-body testing method, medical professionals are able to gauge the patient’s condition and help them understand the risk factors. This, therefore, allows doctors to discharge the ones who are ‘anti-body positive’ deeming them as ones who don’t require in-house medical treatment,” he adds, “This, in turn, helps prevent hospitals getting filled up while helping medical officers pay more attention to the patients who need immediate medical assistance.” 

“This gift reduces the burden on the healthcare system tremendously. It means a great deal for us as a nation, to every single person who is infected with the virus, the ones who are getting a diagnosis for the virus and the loved ones who are awaiting their quick recovery,” says Prof. Neelika Malavige, Director for Centre for Dengue Research, of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. 

World Vision and Citi Foundation formed a partnership in May this year, in a bid to improve preventive measures among the frontline healthcare workers and the most vulnerable families in 16 districts across the country. The contribution by Citi Foundation amounting to USD 100,000 has so far facilitated the distribution of essential medical equipment to five main hospitals and provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to frontline healthcare workers and hygiene and disinfectant supplies to the most vulnerable households. 

“World Vision has been relentless in its efforts to create awareness on preventive measures among the communities, providing necessary personal protective equipment to support the frontline healthcare workers as part of the COVID -19 response. We are very excited that the partnership we formed with Citi has now paved the way to provide anti-body testing kits to the Sri Jayewardenepura University, marking a significant stride towards supporting the health sector of the country,” added the National Director of World Vision Lanka, Dr. Dhanan Senathirajah.

Reiterating that this contribution reinforces Citi’s commitment to Sri Lanka and the wellbeing of the nation, Head, Corporate Affairs, Shanaka Waduge said that the timely contribution is fulfilling a current need of the medical institution of the country to ensure that the virus is being curtailed. She also added that the Foundation is glad that the project is being carried out in partnership with World Vision given its impressive record in Sri Lanka.

World Vision is a development and advocacy organisation and works in 33 locations in 16 districts across Sri Lanka directly impacting nearly 100,000 vulnerable children and their families.