Free CO.VID-19 Tests At Private Labs, India's Supreme Court Orders

The Supreme Court has ordered private labs across India to conduct free CO.VID-19 tests.

According to the Court, all CO.VID-19 tests, whether conducted at approved private or government labs should be made free for citizens. These tests should be carried out at WHO-approved, ICMR-approved, or NABL-accredited labs.

It is announced that 15,000 tests are conducted each day at 118 labs. Later, an addition of 47 labs was allowed to carry out the test to extend the capacity.

For now, a test at a private lab is charged ₹4,500 while in government facilities, citizens can get one for free.

As stated by Tushar Mehta, Solicitor general, the government would consider the suggestion of the Supreme Court to make the tests free. He also said 118 government labs can only do 15,000 tests so private labs must be involved.

GSK Velu, CEO of Neuberg Diagnostics, said private laboratories have already done some free tests but corporates and the government should reimburse from Rs. 2.000 to Rs. 2,500 to the labs in the private sector to cover the cost of materials.

The judges also talked about the recent attacks targeting health professionals and asked the government to provide proper protection and come up with punishments for anyone trying to obstruct their works.

One thing for sure, the salaries of health staff and doctors will not be affected. The Solicitor general assured that doctors must be protected as they were CO.VID-19 warriors. This protection went beyond their physical health and also covers the safety of their family.

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