Despitethe fact that there is a cap on the price of RT-PCR test for covid19 in thestate, the private laboratories continue to violate government guidelines andhave been fleecing residents by charging Rs 900 or sometimes even Rs 1500.
Theprice of RT-PCR test has been fixed at Rs 450 by the Punjab Government and forrapid antigen test it’s Rs 300. However, the private labs in the district areopenly charging Rs 900 to Rs 1500 for the RT-PCR test. If the samples arecollected from home, the charges remain the same.
Duringa sting operation, posing as a patient, this Correspondent visited Dr Lal PathLabs and Ratan Lal Lab situated at Maqsudan here. “After inquiring about theRT-PCR test, how it is conducted or if it’s painful etc, I then asked for theprice of the test to which the receptionist quickly replied Rs 900”.
“Thereceptionist first maintained that they only collect home samples, however whenI insisted on giving samples at the lab itself, without any questions heagreed. He also added there is no change in the price whether I give samples atmy place or in the lab”.
Meanwhile,after waiting for nearly an hour outside the lab, this correspondent also met afew visitors who came RT-PCR test. When cross-checked with them, a resident ofFriends Colony, who wished not to be named, said he paid Rs 900 for the test ofhis sister.
RandeepGill, public grievances officer with the district administration, said, “Thevideo evidence submitted by True Scoop has been forwarded to Civil Surgeon andthey would take action as and when a report from Civil Surgeon office isreceived”.
TheDC, Ghanshyam Thori, said action would be taken against guilty labs. Lastmonth, the administration took action against Tagore Hospital and Atulya Labfor overcharging.