Tuesday, 29 AUGUST 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Dehradun district magistrate Sonika has directed the officials to take strict action against overcharging for dengue tests. She said that the Health department teams have started conducting regular visits to private hospitals and pathology labs to ensure that dengue patients are not being overcharged. The administration will take strict action against the hospital and bodies concerned if they are found to be taking advantage of people in such a vulnerable time for medical tests and treatment. The district has recorded the maximum number of dengue cases in the State at present. So far, 400 cases have been registered since July 3 in the district out of which, about 50 cases are currently active, as per the department. She said that many people have complained of being overcharged by hospitals and pathology labs for treatment and conducting tests. Considering this, the State administration recently directed the district administration to ensure private labs and hospitals are not taking advantage of dengue patients by overcharging them. Following the order, the DM said that the Health department teams conducted a meeting with pathology labs on Saturday and asked them to display charges of dengue tests on their respective premises. A patient cannot be charged more than Rs 400 for the rapid test, Rs 800 for the Jumbo test and Rs 1,100 for the ELISA test for dengue infection detection. She said that a special team has been formed to carry out regular inspections with orders to take strict action in case of violations. She also encourages people to not pay for dengue tests more than the aforementioned charges and complain if they are forced to do so.
