When will gujarat govt slash testing rates by pvt labs?

█ Covid-19: Delhi, Maharashtra slash testing charges

On May 25, ICMR had removed the Rs 4,500 price cap for Covid-19 testing and given a free hand to state governments to negotiate with private labs and fix the testing cost so that it is made affordable for more people. But Gujarat govt is yet to slash the rates

It has been two months since Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) wrote to all states and Union Territories, informing them about the removal of Rs 4,500 price cap for Covid-19 testing. The testing kits were being locally produced and their prices were stabilising, it had argued in the letter to all chief secretaries, urging the states to negotiate with private laboratories and fix the price for the test.

A month later, the cost of getting Covid-19 test in Gujarat remains unchanged. Subsequently, Maharashtra and Delhi reduced the rates. Maharashtra has priced the test at Rs 2,800 in case of sample collection from home and Rs 2,200 for collecting samples from hospital. The Delhi government has set the price cap of Rs 2,400 per test.

ICMR had suggested that the price cap of Rs 4,500 per test be done away with as the cost of testing had reduced and so was the dependence on imported kits.

There are around 12 private labs in the state, of which six are in Ahmedabad, which have permission to carry out Covid-19 testing. In the states that have reduced testing rates, nowhere does it exceed Rs 3,000.

A few laboratory owners are willing to reduce the price if the government also slashes GST rates and other costs.

“We can afford Rs 3,500 per test for home collection and Rs 3,000 for walk-in patients. We already conduct tests for Rs 4,000 for patients and for Rs 2,000 in case of persons belonging to BPL category,” said Sandip Shah, laboratory director of Supratech Micropath Laboratory.

‘Reduced rates not viable’

“The reduced rate is not viable for the private laboratory owners as we have to pay the price of high standard kits apart from paying our staff who collect samples and carry out testing. If the rates are reduced, labs will not able to do testing on a higher scale as it is not affordable and number of samples being tested will drop,” said an official of a private laboratory in the city requesting anonymity.

AMA to appeal for cheaper testing

“The prices of testing kits and other material including PPEs have been reduced substantially. Therefore, private laboratories should cut down the rates,” said Dr Mona Desai, president of Ahmedabad Medical Association (AMA). The association is all set to make an appeal to the government to take steps to reduce rates.

“As other states like Delhi and Maharashtra have reduced the rates of Covid-19 testing, we will make a representation to the state government to take action in that direction,” said Dr Desai.

According to her, lower prices would benefit both patients and doctors. “Often, patients requiring surgery are reluctant to go for the test because of the cost and doctors have to go ahead with the surgery. This is detrimental to both of them. With the lower price rate, the patients will not hesitate to go for the test,” she said.

“The price of testing at private laboratories should be reduced as is being done in other states. People are already reeling under financial crisis due to recession and pay cuts. If rates are slashed it will benefit all,” said Neena Singh, 52, a resident of South Bopal.



Independent consultant Sarita Thakore said, "The current rates are expensive for the common man. That is the reason citizens are hesitant to get tested. If found positive, then the expenditure only increases until you are discharged from the hospital or wherever you're quarantined."

"I believe that the Centre needs to coordinate with Gujarat government functionaries via the empowered groups in order to strictly enforce the pricing directives," said Sreemay Rath, literature student.

"In my opinion, the government should try to follow the centralised price caps on necessities such as Covid tests. There shouldn't be a disparity in prices of essential tests during a crisis like this pandemic," said Shreya Krishnatray, PGDM-C student at MICA.

‘Govt deliberating on slashing rates’

The government has started discussion on the issue, but a decision in this regard is yet to be taken. When contacted, Kishor Kanani, state-level health minister, said “You should ask Nitinbhai (Patel) as we have discussed the issue.” Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel who holds the health portfolio could not be reached for his comments despite attempts.

“We have already reduced rates to Rs 2,000 per test for Maa Vatsalya card holders and other government beneficiaries. The SC had heard the issue of slashing of rates for testing during the hearing of a case. The government is deliberating on the subject of slashing the rates,” said Jayanti Ravi, Principal Secretary, Health Department.