Govt warns of action to labs charging for PCR tests

KATHAMADNU: The government has warned to sue laboratories taking fees for PCR tests from the local bodies.

Speaking at the regular COVID-19 update organized in the Ministry, the spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population, Prof. Dr. Jageswor Gautam warned that the laboratories asking for the PCR test charge from the local bodies.

He asked the health academies to refrain from demanding swab test charge from the local bodies as the government will make the expenses required for the swab tests.

“As the government has been paying for the PCR test, the Ministry requests all health science academies not to take the charge of swab tests from the local bodies,” spokesperson Dr. Gautam said.

He added that the government would make necessary expenses is the allocated amount doesn’t suffice.

Lately, a few laboratories have started writing to the local bodies demanding the PCR test for the swabs collected and sent to the laboratories for the test.

Rapti Health Science Academy has started collecting Rs. 5,500 per swab test from the local authorities.

Despite the government’s commitment to pay for the PCR test, the academy had sent the swabs sent by Gadhawa Rural Municipality Dang denying to test the swabs unless the payment was made.

Gadhawa Rural Municipality had then sent those swabs to Bhairahawa based lab for PCR test.