The government hasdecided to cap the rate of COVID-19 Reverse Transcription Polymerase ChainReaction (RT-PCR) test at Rs 2,400 with the J&K UT witnessing an alarmingspurt in coronavirus cases.
“In exercise of the powers conferred under section 2 of the Epidemic DiseasesAct, 1897 (3 of 1897), the Lieutenant Governor of the Union territory of Jammuand Kashmir hereby directs that no private laboratory should charge any amountmore than Rs 2400 for RT-PCR Test for COVID-19 inclusive of GST/Taxes, if any,cost involved in pickup, packing and transportation of samples, documentationand reporting in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” reads the SO 239notification issued by Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health and MedicalEducation Department, J&K.
“All the testing protocols as laid down by ICMR and the Government of Indiafrom time to time shall be followed by the Private Laboratories and it shallshare the data pertaining to the results of these tests for COVID-19 with theGovernment and ICMR on a real time basis through ICMR portal,” the order statedand added, “At the time of sampling, the identification, address and verifiedmobile number of the person, who is being tested, must be noted for record, asper sample referral form (SRF). The data should be uploaded on the RT-PCR appat the time of taking the sample.” The test report should be communicated tothe patient immediately, it further stated and added, “A positive test reportshould be immediately communicated to Chief Medical Officer of the concernedDistrict through email.”
“All the private National Accreditation Board for Testing and CalibrationLaboratories (NABL) and ICMR approved laboratories are instructed thatinformation of the patient should be maintained with utmost confidentiality andall the COVID-19 private testing laboratories must preserve the RT-PCR machinegenerated data for future verification by the Government,” reads the order.
The private Laboratories are also instructed to display rates in visiblemanner, it added.