news details |
|
|
| COVID RT-PCR test: Capped cost by J&K Admn triggers confusion for private labs | | |
Early times Report
Jammu, June 23: Almost a month after the Jammu and Kashmir Administration has capped the cost of RT-PCR tests, considered the gold standard in Covid-19 detection, at Rs 400 for all private laboratories, the confusion prevailed on the rates thus forcing many laboratories to suspend the testing. Earlier in Kashmir, the private labs temporarily suspended the RT PCR test in view of rate cap by the administration.
The private lab operators have alleged that by fixing the rate of Rs 400/- for RT PCR COVID test, the administration has triggered mess between them and the patients as the rates vary in types of RT PCR tests. The Jammu and Kashmir government on June 1 capped the cost of RT-PCR tests at Rs 400 for all private laboratories.
A notification was issued by the Health and Medical Education under section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (3 of 1897) and in partial modification of notification S.O 337 dated 29th October, 2020.
As per the notification, the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has directed that no private laboratory shall charge any amount more than Rs 400 for RT-PCR.
The rate will be inclusive of GST/Taxes if any, cost involved in pickup, packing and transportation of samples, documentation and reporting in Jammu and Kashmir, the notification said.
?In October last year, the government issued a notification with categories based rate list for RT PCR test but in June this year, the rate was capped without understanding the cost and other equipment used in different tests, which itself costs high to the private laboratories,? said private lab owner.
However, in October, in an order issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education, for RT- PCR test, no private laboratory can charge any amount more than Rs 1600 inclusive of GST/Taxes if any,
?For TrueNat Test, no private laboratory should charge any amount more than Rs 2000/- inclusive of GST/Taxes if any, cost involved in pickup, packing and transportation of samples, documentation and reporting and for Cbnaat test, no private laboratory should charge any amount more than Rs 2400/- inclusive of GST/Taxes if any, cost involved in pickup, packing and transportation of samples, documentation and reporting in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,? he explained.
As per the previous order, the Private laboratories shall also adhere to the conditions that all the testing protocols as laid down by ICMR and the Government of India from time to time shall be followed by the Private Laboratories.
?We have submitted a written representation to the Health Department but till date no reply is received,? the lab operators expressed and appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor to intervene and address their genuine concern otherwise the remaining operators will also be forced to suspend the operation of conducting RT PCR tests.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
