Adoptinga tough stance against the institutions overcharging for Covid-19 tests andtreatment, Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Ghanshyam Thori has ordered theregistration of an FIR against Atulaya Lab, located at Green Park.
Divulgingthe details, the deputy commissioner said that a complaint was received againstthe lab for charging Rs. 1500 for conducting RT-PCR test for Covid-19 whereasthe state government has capped the test price as Rs. 900 per test. Thecomplainant in his complaint had also mentioned that the lab didn’t provide hima receipt for the payment it received as testing charges. He furtherstated that the complainant along with his complaint also submitted videoevidence against the lab, which was thoroughly examined by the officials.
Uponreceiving the complaint, the Deputy Commissioner then marked an enquiry intothe whole matter to the Public Grievance Officer (PGO), who in his inquiryreport had found the allegations of overcharging to be true prima-facie.Keeping in view the enquiry report of PGO, the Deputy Commissioner had writtento Commissioner of Police Jalandhar for lodging an FIR against the lab underIndian Epidemic Act, Disaster Management Act, section 188 of IPC, and underother prevailing laws after a thorough probe.
Mr.Thori further formed a four-member committee to initiate a thoroughinvestigation against the lab to find out in how many cases it has overchargedfor Covid-19 related tests. The committee comprising SDM-1, Joint CommissionerMunicipal Corporation, Civil Surgeon Jalanadhar, and District Family PlanningOfficer Dr. Raman Gupta while asking the committee to complete its enquirywithin three days and submit a detailed report before him. Further, he directedthe committee to also recommend canceling registration of this lab.
Thedeputy commissioner has asked all the private labs/diagnostic centers andhospitals to adhere to the guidelines issued by the state government regardingtesting and treatment of Covid-19 patients as any kind of laxity in the taskwould be dealt with a heavy hand. He categorically mentioned that all the labswould be checked by the officials randomly and strict action would be takenagainst those violating the norms.
Ratesfor covid-19 testing and treatment in private intuitions
ChiefMinister Captain Amarinder Singh led state government earlier this month hadcapped the rates for Covid-19 testing and treatment to keep profiteering andexorbitant pricing under check. The government in its orders had fixed theprice for RT-PCR test in private labs as Rs. 900, and Rs. 2000 for CT scan/HRCTbesides other indoor treatments.
Formoderate Sickness requiring Isolation Beds, including supportive care andoxygen, the rates per day of admission are fixed at Rs 10,000 for all PrivateMedical Colleges / Private Institutes with a teaching program, Rs 9000 for NABHaccredited Hospitals (Including Private Medical Colleges without PG/DNB Course)and Rs. 8000 for Non- NABH accredited Hospitals, Mr. Thori added.
Thedeputy commissioner further reveals that the rates for the categories of SevereSickness (ICU without need for ventilator) have been capped, respectively, atRs. 15,000, Rs. 14,000 and Rs. 13,000, while for Very Severe or Criticalsickness; these are fixed at Rs. 18,000, Rs. 16,500 and Rs. 15,000respectively. All these rates are inclusive of PPE cost, according to ordersissued by the government, said the DC.
Further,to encourage private hospitals to cater to Mild Sickness cases also, thegovernment has also fixed per day admission rates for such cases at Rs. 6,500,Rs. 5,500 and Rs. 4,500 respectively adding he said that for special isolationrooms the patients may be charged maximum per day per patient Rs. 4000.