Relief for Assam citizens as govt caps price of COVID tests

GUWAHATI:

The Assam government has put a cap on the rates of RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) charged by laboratories in the state because of the increased availability and reduction in costs of testing equipment.

The state health and family welfare department has issued a notification stating that the rates chargeable for testing RT-PCR test samples, which are collected at the laboratories and hospitals, including test cost, personal protective equipment (PPE) kit and other related charges, has been capped at Rs 1,000.

However, an additional amount of Rs 200 extra would be charged if RT-PCR test samples are collected from home.

The rate of a Rapid Antigen Test has been fixed at Rs 500.

The latest order issued by the principal secretary to the state health department comes as a huge relief to citizens who had to pay up to Rs 4500 to get their COVID tests done in private healthcare facilities and laboratories.

The order also asked the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) approved laboratories to follow the guidelines issued by ICMR from time to time.

“All hospitals, institutes and laboratories are instructed to display the revised tariff prominently and strictly comply with the order. Non-compliance shall attract action as per law,” the order stated.

“The concerned district administration and the health department officials shall closely monitor and enforce the rates strictly,” it added.

(Edited by Laxmi Chyrmang)