Bengaluru, 10 July

Despite the government’s order to cap dengue testing rates, many private hospitals and labs have flouted the rules and are charging more than double the price.

However, private labs and hospitals in the City claim they have not received any government order and will continue charging their usual price. “We have not received any government order,” a private hospital doctor from Seshadripuram told Salar News on the condition of anonymity.

Amid the rising number of dengue cases in the City, the Health Department has capped the rates for NS1 antigen ELISA and IgM antibody tests at Rs 300, and rapid card tests for the NS1 antigen, IgM and IgG antibodies at Rs 250.    However, labs and hospitals are charging Rs 750 to Rs 2,000 for the same.

An investigation by Salar News revealed that several testing centres are not adhering to the government-mandated prices. For instance, Basavanagudi testing centre charges between Rs 800 and Rs 1,500 for ELISA, NS1 and IGM tests.

Similarly, Shivajinagar testing centre is quoting Rs 750 per test. Lab is HSR Layout, Horamavu, Chickpet claimed they initially charged Rs 850 for dengue testing but cut the price to Rs 300 after the government order.  “The private hospital in Seshadripuram charged my friend Rs 300 for dengue test, but when I took my family member, they quoted Rs 990,” a patient told Salar News.

However, there are some exceptions. Hospitals like Manipal, Maratha, and Sparsh are following the government-mandated prices.

The State Health Department has acknowledged the issue and told Salar News that it is a must for hospitals and labs to follow government rules under the Epidemic Diseases Act. Patients who are overcharged can report the incident by calling 1902. -Salar News