Pathology labs in Mumbai are turning a blind eye to Maharashtra government order from last year, which caps the rate for the NS1 and MAC ELISA tests, but labs continue to play truant
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Dengue is bringing Mumbaikars down, and so are city pathologists. Despite a state government order last year, which stated categorically that no laboratory could charge more than Rs 600 for conducting dengue tests, labs have continued to play truant.
In Mumbai, 130 cases of dengue have been reported till June, sending patients to pathology laboratories for tests, which have been burning a hole in their pockets.
Testing times
If you have paid more than R600 for the NS1 and MAC ELISA tests, you have been cheated by the laboratory. Last September, the state health department had passed a government resolution (GR), putting a cap of R600 on these two tests, after an advisory from the Centre on August 5, asking all states to do the same.
Laboratories, however, seem to have completely ignored the GR and have been charging patients their existing rates for the tests. mid-day found out that several labs have been charging anything between R800 and R2,000 for the tests.
Dr Lal PathLabs was found to have charged R2,100 for the 'Dengue fever NS1 Antigen' test, while, when this reporter, posing as a customer, inquired with SRL lab, their charge for the NS1 test was given as R1,400. An inquiry with Parel diagnostic lab revealed that the cost there was R1,500.
More awareness needed
"I was completely unaware about the GR and paid over R1,000 for my NS1 test, as well as for my sister's test. The government should put such important notifications in newspapers, because otherwise, laboratories fix rates as per their wishes," said Andheri resident Lalit Rohira.
Health activists also said that the government needs to make people aware of such GRs by putting advertisements or notices on public platforms.
Dr Ravindra Singh, a health activist, said, "With the onset of monsoon, cases of mosquito-borne diseases start to rise. To avoid a long queue in government hospitals, patients generally choose to go to private laboratories for tests. So, the government's responsibility doesn't end with passing a GR; it needs to ensure that it is implemented."
The two sides
Pathologists, however, claimed that the GR is confusing as it doesn't mention RAPID test, which helps to reconfirm dengue in a patient.
"The tests mentioned in the GR are initial ones done in a patient with symptoms of dengue to confirm the disease. If the results come positive, then a RAPID test is done to reconfirm it. There is no mention of the latter in the GR. It is a half-baked circular," said a pathologist from Dadar.
But, the state health department reiterated that if any lab is violating the GR, then a citizen could file a complaint with the BMC against it.
"No private pathology lab or hospital can take more than R600 for dengue tests. If this is happening, then action will be taken against the errant ones," said Dr Satish Pawar, health director, Maharashtra.
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