Adopting a tough stance against the institutions overcharging for Covid-19 tests and treatment, Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Ghanshyam Thori has ordered the registration of an FIR against Atulaya Lab, located at Green Park.
Divulging the details, the deputy commissioner said that a complaint was received against the lab for charging Rs. 1500 for conducting RT-PCR test for Covid-19 whereas the state government has capped the test price as Rs. 900 per test. The complainant in his complaint had also mentioned that the lab didn’t provide him a receipt for the payment it received as testing charges. He further stated that the complainant along with his complaint also submitted video evidence against the lab, which was thoroughly examined by the officials.
Upon receiving the complaint, the Deputy Commissioner then marked an enquiry into the whole matter to the Public Grievance Officer (PGO), who in his inquiry report had found the allegations of overcharging to be true prima-facie. Keeping in view the enquiry report of PGO, the Deputy Commissioner had written to Commissioner of Police Jalandhar for lodging an FIR against the lab under Indian Epidemic Act, Disaster Management Act, section 188 of IPC, and under other prevailing laws after a thorough probe.
Mr. Thori further formed a four-member committee to initiate a thorough investigation against the lab to find out in how many cases it has overcharged for Covid-19 related tests. The committee comprising SDM-1, Joint Commissioner Municipal Corporation, Civil Surgeon Jalanadhar, and District Family Planning Officer Dr. Raman Gupta while asking the committee to complete its enquiry within three days and submit a detailed report before him. Further, he directed the committee to also recommend canceling registration of this lab.
The deputy commissioner has asked all the private labs/diagnostic centers and hospitals to adhere to the guidelines issued by the state government regarding testing and treatment of Covid-19 patients as any kind of laxity in the task would be dealt with a heavy hand. He categorically mentioned that all the labs would be checked by the officials randomly and strict action would be taken against those violating the norms.
Rates for covid-19 testing and treatment in private intuitions
Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh led state government earlier this month had capped the rates for Covid-19 testing and treatment to keep profiteering and exorbitant pricing under check. The government in its orders had fixed the price for RT-PCR test in private labs as Rs. 900, and Rs. 2000 for CT scan/HRCT besides other indoor treatments.
For moderate Sickness requiring Isolation Beds, including supportive care and oxygen, the rates per day of admission are fixed at Rs 10,000 for all Private Medical Colleges / Private Institutes with a teaching program, Rs 9000 for NABH accredited Hospitals (Including Private Medical Colleges without PG/DNB Course) and Rs. 8000 for Non- NABH accredited Hospitals, Mr. Thori added.
The deputy commissioner further reveals that the rates for the categories of Severe Sickness (ICU without need for ventilator) have been capped, respectively, at Rs. 15,000, Rs. 14,000 and Rs. 13,000, while for Very Severe or Critical sickness; these are fixed at Rs. 18,000, Rs. 16,500 and Rs. 15,000 respectively. All these rates are inclusive of PPE cost, according to orders issued by the government, said the DC.
Further, to encourage private hospitals to cater to Mild Sickness cases also, the government 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 isolation rooms the patients may be charged maximum per day per patient Rs. 4000.