Despite the fact that there is a cap on the price of RT-PCR test for covid19 in the state, the private hospitals and laboratories in Jalandhar continue to violate government guidelines and have been fleecing residents by charging Rs 900 to Rs 2400.
The price of RT-PCR test has been fixed at Rs 450 by the Punjab Government and for rapid antigen test it’s Rs 300. However, the private hospitals and labs in the district are openly charging Rs 900 or sometimes even Rs 2400 for the RT-PCR test. If the samples are collected from home, the charges either remain same or are hiked by Rs 200 or Rs 250.
During a series of sting operations, posing as a patient, team TrueScoop visited different private hospitals and labs in Jalandhar which includes a private hospital based in Rama Mandi here, Kamal Hospital, Dr Lal Path Lab (Doaba Chowk), Asha Path Lab (Doaba Chowk) and Metropolis Lab. “After inquiring about the RT-PCR test, how it is conducted etc, we then asked for the price of the test, which to our surprise was four times the capped price”.
Watch Video:
When
we visited the hospital at Rama Mandi here, the receptionist first denied taking samples as we
were late and he said that the collected samples have already gone to the
respective centres. After a long conversation, we asked him the price to which
he openly asked for Rs 2400.
We again visited the Hospital the next day; however, this time the receptionist clearly denied taking samples and cited they only conduct RT-PCR for the admitted patients.
When questioned about how he agreed to collect the sample yesterday and asked for Rs 2400, he said that he specially talked to the concerned authorities and recommended for our sample on OPD Basis, so he said yes. Meanwhile, the receptionist was so nice that he then gave us the contact number of another lab and asked us to contact him for the test.
After a telephonic conversation with the recommended Lab person, we got to know it was Metropolis Lab, and again to our surprise he asked for Rs 1500 for RT-PCR. However, he even mentioned that if you need the report for travel purposes the charges are Rs 1500, otherwise it's Rs 1200. (The audio and video evidence of the entire conversation is with TrueScoop).
Also Read: DC Jalandhar takes action against pvt lab after True Scoop conducts sting operation
At Kamal Hospital, we were charged Rs 1500 for the RT-PCR. The receipt and video recording reveals how hospitals without any fear of law are violating the guidelines and overcharging blatantly. Besides, the person who took our sample charged us Rs 20 extra for the gloves he used. When we asked whether why he is no carrying spare gloves as we have already paid Rs 1500, he replied that he use his own gloves for the people who can’t afford it, but for those who can afford, they ask them to buy it on their own.
Likewise, Dr Lal Path Lab and Asha Lab situated near Doaba Chowk asked for Rs 700. However, the receptionists at both the places maintained that they only collect home samples, however when we insisted on giving samples at the lab itself, they denied.
It is pertinent to mention here that about 10 days ago, the TrueScoop News had conducted sting operation at Dr Lal Path Labs and Ratan Lal Lab situated at Maqsudan here, in which they were found charging Rs 900 for RT-PCR test and the video evidence of the same was submitted to the DC Jalandhar. However, no FIR has been registered in the case so far.
Meanwhile, all the evidences have been submitted to the DC and Public Grievance officer, Jalandhar. Also, DC Ghanshyam Thori, assured that action would be taken against guilty labs.