By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Sept. 29: Private PCR labs and hospitals have adjusted the charge of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test of the coronavirus to Rs. 3,899 until a concrete conclusion is reached through talks with the government.
In a press statement issued on Sunday night, they said that discussions were underway with the Ministry of Health and Population about the fee to be charged by the private laboratories on scientific basis.
Eight private laboratory operators and hospitals issued the press statement showing their attention to the news reports in various newspapers and media about the PCR test fees.
They said the service they had provided was important and of the highest standard, adding that no one would benefit from the misunderstanding between the ministry and the private laboratory operators during the time of pandemic.
"The Ministry of Health and Population, the government of Nepal, and private labs and hospitals are complementary," the statement said.
"We would also like to point out that the misunderstanding between the two bodies during this pandemic is not in anyone's interest," the statement said.
At present, in the context of various comments being made on the subject of the fees set by the Ministry, we have set a fee of Rs. 3,899 and would like to inform that Rs. 3,899 fee of the test is real, according to the statement.
The press statement bears no one’s name and designation, just the signatures.
Private PCR labs and hospitals like Star Hospital, HAMS, B&B Hospital, Nepal Mediciti Hospital, Decode Genomics Hospital, Sooriya Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. have also requested not to comment on the issue.
Even though the government has fixed the PCR test fee at Rs 2,000, the private laboratories are conducting the PCR tests by claiming that the fee won’t even cover the cost.
Meanwhile, Dr. Samir Kumar Adhikari, joint spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population, told The Rising Nepal that the government was not aware of the latest move of the private labs and hospitals. The government has finalised the rate at Rs. 2,000 after holding consultations and upon their agreement during a meeting, he said.
"Discussing on all other possible expenses, chemical reagents and standards of the labs, the government has fixed Rs. 2,000 as final rate, but the government has not understood why some private labs and hospitals were doing all these," Dr. Adhikari said.
"We have also sought support and actions from the concerned department of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce for taking further action if they continue defying the government decision," Dr. Adhikari said. He also suggested general public not to go in for PCR tests in such hospitals that have been charging higher rate.
There are 55 PCR test centres across the country, but some people are doing their PCR tests in high price charging hospitals and labs, he said. Some private hospitals and labs too are doing PCR test charging Rs. 2,000 in the valley, he said.
Meanwhile, Prakash Bhattarai, chief administrator at B&B Hospital, said they could not conduct the PCR test at the rate given by the government.
After submitting a memorandum to the Ministry of Health and Population on Sunday, eight private hospitals and labs on the same night issued the press statement and decided to charge Rs. 3,899 of the test reducing it from Rs. 4,400.
When approached for a comment on the issue, official at Star Hospital, Sanepa, Lalitpur, one of the hospitals charging high fees, denied making any comment on the issue.
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