IHRA fixes standard rate for COVID-19 test at private hospitals, laboratories.

Byline: Rahul Basharat

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has fixed the standard rate of conducting novel coronavirus (COVID-19) test at private hospitals and laboratories, The Nation learnt on Thursday.

Officials said that the authority has taken the decision to control the exorbitant prices of COVID-19 tests from the private healthcare set-ups.

The notification issued by the IHRA about fixing of standard rate for conducting RT-PCR for COVID-19 test said that in compliance with the decision of the NCOC and exercising the powers conferred under Islamabad Healthcare Regulation Act, 2018, all private hospitals, laboratories/collection centres etc. conducting RT-PCR tests are hereby directed to freeze the rates for RT-PCR test as mentioned.

About the rates it said that 'PKR5,500 for tests using Chinese Kit and PKR6,500 for tests using Roche/Abbot Kit.'

The notification issued said that in view of above, all private hospitals, laboratories /collection centresshall be inspected for compliance by Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) teams to elucidate the status of compliance with the above directives and healthcare services standard requirements of COVID-19.

It also said that the private hospitals, laboratories/collection centresfound non-compliant with the requirements shall be penalised in accordance with the rules, which may include deregistration, sealing the premises or fine and/or imprisonment etc. under the Islamabad Healthcare Regulation Act, 2018.

IHRA on Monday urged citizens for registration of complaints against any private or public...