Maharashtra Govt Slashed Charges For COVID19 Test By Private Labs
Mumbai: In a recent development, the Maharashtra government on Saturday fixed the maximum price for RT-PCR tests, which are conducted for coronavirus detection, for Rs 2,200.
State Health Minister Rajesh Tope said the move to reduce the cost of RT-PCR tests in Maharashtra has been lowest compared to any other state in the country.
“Private laboratories were allowed to perform RT-PCR testing, for which they were charging around Rs 4,500 for the report and additional charges for domestic collection of samples. We had been receiving demands for reducing its prices, by corporations and individuals. Therefore, we formed a committee and after analysis, the price for the report was fixed at Rs 2,200. In addition, if the home collection of samples is done, Rs 2,800 can be charged,” Tope said.
He added that as the price of the kit came down, “laboratories should not be profiteering at this point and people’s safety should be the primary concern.”
“This will also be a reason for savings for individuals and more people will also get themselves tested,” the minister continued.
With 1,01,141 COVID-19 cases, Maharashtra is the state most affected by the epidemic in the country. This includes 49,628 active cases and 47,796 cured and discharged patients.
According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there have been 3,717 deaths due to infection from the state so far.
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