State to implement Centre’s advisory to put a cap on dengue-related tests at private laboratories; overcharging labs will have to shut shop
mid-day is in possession of bills from private laboratories, which have been charging patients over R800 for dengue diagnosis
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The state government on Tuesday announced a cap on dengue-related tests, tightening the noose around private laboratories that have been exploiting patients. Henceforth, Mumbaikars will only have to shell out R600 for dengue diagnosis at private laboratories. Overcharging laboratories will face serious consequences, including closure of their shops.
In a meeting held yesterday, the state decided to pass a GR within two to three days to implement the Centre’s advisory on putting a cap of R600 on dengue tests. “We have received the advisory from the Union Ministry and are going to pass the circular to ensure that all private laboratories charge the same amount of money for the test,” said Mohan Jadhav, director of health services.
When asked if the ruling would be made mandatory for all private laboratories, Jadhav said, “All private hospitals and laboratories come under the state health ministry. So, if we pass the resolution, they will have to follow it.”
Patients exploited
At present, the dengue antigen test at private laboratories ranges anywhere between R800 to R2,000, burning a big hole in the pockets of needy patients. mid-day has copies of a few such bills, which show varying pricing rates for the same test at different labs.
Last month, 21-year-old Karan Bansal, was rushed to Badwaik Hospital after his platelet count experienced a drop. At the hospital, doctors referred him to Rakta Diagnostics at Bhandup (West) for a string of blood tests. A bill dated August 26, which is available with mid-day shows that the diagnostic centre charged Karan’s parents R1,000 for the dengue antigen test alone. "Unrestricted freedom to private laboratories has turned their industry into a money minting business," said Karan’s father Devender Bansal.
Similarly, Gaurav Sarkar, 26-year-old, a resident of Andheri was admitted to a private hospital on August 20 with symptoms of dengue. Later, he underwent two dengue related blood tests. As per the bill, the laboratory charged Sarkar R870 for one test, and R950 for the other.
Like Karan and Gaurav, there have been several instances where private laboratories have charged for tests as per their own whims and fancies.
Until September 25 of this monsoon, 3,287 probable cases of dengue were reported in all BMC-run hospitals. With cases reported in private hospitals, the numbers are expected to be higher. All patients with symptoms of dengue had to undergo dengue test to confirm the illness, and most of them were billed abover R600.
“Needy patients spend a lot of money on dengue-related tests. Restricting the amount of money charged, will be beneficial for all patients," said Deepak Pranjivan Barai, a pharmacist and one of the secretaries of All India Human Rights Association.
Many activists also allege that laboratories overcharge because they have to pay 40-50 per cent cuts to doctors for referring patients to their centre.
State delayed regulation
The Central health department had issued an advisory on July 5 this year, asking the state to monitor laboratories and regulate the fee charged for dengue tests. However, the state has only woken up from its slumber three months later.
Confirming the same, BMC executive health officer Padmaja Keskar said that despite the Centre’s advisory being issued earlier, they hadn’t received any such circular or notice from the state health department. "We are just waiting for it," Keskar said.
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