PRIVATE LABORATORIES SHOULD CHARGE RATES OF COVID TESTS AS CAPPED BY STATE GOVERNMENT- APNEET RIYAIT
*ASKS LABORATORIES TO DISPLAY RATES IN VISIBLE MANNER **Rs. 1600 FIXED FOR RT-PCR TEST, Rs 2000 & 2400 FOR TRUENAT AND CBNAAT TESTS RESPECTIVELY
HOSHIARPUR / SEPTEMBER 24 / New Super Bharat News
In compliance with the orders issued by the state Government to cap the charges of RT-PCR, TrueNat and Cbnaat tests of COVID, Deputy Commissioner Apneet Riyait on Thursday asked the private laboratories not to charge more than the prescribed rates for tests. The laboratories in the district are also instructed to display rates of covid tests in visible manner for the facilitation of the public.
Divulging in this regard Apneet Riyait said that the State Government had issued order under the Epidemic Diseases Act, which stipulates that no Private laboratory should charge any amount more than Rs. 1600/- for RT-PCR covid test inclusive of GST, taxes, documentation and reporting in the State of Punjab. Similarly, TrueNat Test for COVID-19 should be done with the prescribed amount of Rs 2000 and no private laboratory should charge any amount more than the fixed rate. Likewise, the State has fixed Rs 2400 for Cbnaat test including GST and taxes and no lab could charge more than the said amount.
The Deputy Commissioner also stated that any additional cost for home collection of samples is to be fixed by individual laboratory. She also pointed out that all the private laboratories should strictly adhere to all the testing protocols laid down by ICMR, Centre and State Governments. The Private Laboratories will also share the data pertaining to the results of tests for COVID• 19 with State Govemment and uploaded on ICMR portal on timely basis. At the time of sampling, the identification. address and verified mobile number of the person, who is being tested, must be noted for record. as per sample referral form (SRF), said the Deputy Commissioner adding that the data should be uploaded on the RT-PCR app at the time of taking the sample. The test report should be communicated to the patient immediately after the testing is complete.
Apneet Riyait further elaborated that all test results should be immediately communicated to the Civil Surgeon through e-mail with a copy to State IDSP cell of Punjab.
All the private NABL & ICMR approved laboratories are instructed that, information of the patient should be maintained with utmost confidentiality. All the private COVID- 19 testing laboratories must preserve the RT-PCR machine generated data and graphs for future verification by the State Government.
