By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Sept. 28: Four private hospitals that were given consent to conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test of the coronavirus have furnished their clarifications to the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection Management (DoCSM) on Sunday.
“We will take a collective decision within two days after going through their clarification letters they have submitted after 10 private hospitals and laboratories were asked to do so,” Rabindra Acharya, director and spokesperson at Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection Management (DoCSM) told The Rising Nepal.
According to director Acharya, four hospitals, namely HAMS, B&B, Norvic, and Vayodha have furnished their clarification after the Department issued letters to come up with documents and with their approval letter given to test the coronavirus.
Among the four hospitals, Norvic and Vayodha only collect the swabs of the people for PCR test and they send it to Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku, charging Rs. 4,400 from people visiting their hospitals for the test.
According to him, the Department had also sought clarification from Star Hospital, Nepal Mediciti Hospital, Central Diagnostic Laboratory and Research Centre, Sooriya Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Decode Genomics and Research Centre and Intrepid Diagnostic Centre. But, these hospitals have not submitted their clarification yet.
He said the Department has already received the government fixed PCR test rate of Rs. 2,000 from Ministry of Health and Population and other protocols that need to be followed by the private hospitals while getting approval to test the virus. Some of the private hospitals and laboratories have been charging Rs. 4,400 for PCR test.
“Within two days, we will take one concrete decision after going through the clarifications they have submitted and will decide whether to fine them or recommend revoking the approval they had got to test the virus,” said Acharya.
He said the Department has the right to fine Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 500,000 on the spot during field monitoring. Also, they can file charge sheet under fraud and black marketing if they denied abiding by the government decision, he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Samir Kumar Adhikari, joint spokesperson at Ministry of Health and Population, said the Ministry held talks with representatives of private hospitals and laboratories on Sunday, but could not reach any concrete decision.
“They have submitted a memorandum again requesting a review of the rate of PCR test to be conducted in private hospitals, he said. “We haven’t agreed on anything today, but have just received their memorandum, and will look into it and decide few days later,” Adhikari said.
According to him, the private hospitals and laboratories have submitted memorandum demanding to fix the PCR test charge in between Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 3,800.