Islamabad fixes rates for Covid-19 tests

ISLAMABAD: The Health Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of National Health Services have decided to fix rates for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) at private hospitals and laboratories in the federal capital.

A notification issued by the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) on Wednesday stated that per a decision taken by the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) and exercising powers under the Islamabad Healthcare Regulation Act 2018, tests for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for Covid-19 in private hospitals, labs and collection centres will be frozen.

It noted that rates for tests using kits by Chinese companies will be conducted for Rs5,500. However, tests which are conducted using kits by western pharmaceutical giants such as Roche or Abbot will cost Rs6,500.

Healthcare regulator of the federal capital warned all private hospitals, labs and collection centres that they will be regularly inspected to check compliance.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2020.