Supreme Court Asks Govt to Make Coronavirus Testing Free in Private Labs Too
Moneylife Digital Team 08 April 2020
In a big relief to common citizens, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Indian government to make corona virus (COVID-19) testing free of cost in both government as well as private labs.
 
In an order, the bench comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice S Ravindra Bhat, says, "The tests relating to COVID-19 whether in approved government laboratories or approved private laboratories shall be free of cost. The respondent (govt) shall issue necessary direction in this regard immediately."
 
"Tests relating to COVID-19 must be carried out in National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited labs or agencies approved by World Health Organisation (WHO) or the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)," the apex court says.
 
At present, the ICMR has approved COVID-19 testing in more than 200 laboratories across the country. This includes 51 private labs.
 
As per ICMR guidelines for COVID-19 testing by private laboratories, the test is to be conducted by a laboratory which has NABL accreditation for real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for a ribonucleic acid virus.
 
Comments
doctordhanbpathi
6 years ago
https://www.moneylife.in/article/supreme-court-asks-govt-to-make-corona-virus-testing-free-in-private-labs-too/59969.html
In US, coronavirus test costs just Rs.3.50 lacs & treatment costs Rs.16.00 lacs. Price for diagnosis-Rs.4500/= is the cheapest rate in the world. However, to help the real poor with white cards; the price can be brought down; provided GOI supplies the kits/antigen 'free of cost'.
raviforjustice
6 years ago
Cannot fault this decision. But wondering why the PM has only decided to cut 30 pc of the pay of ministers and MPs. Why not the judges? In fact the cut should be minimum 50 pc for judges as they are having real holiday during the lock down.

vswaminathan
6 years ago
"In a big relief to COMMON CITIZENS , the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Indian government to make corona virus (COVID19) testing FREE OF COST in both government as well as private labs."

Having been pushed into a blind alley,- hopelessly and helplessly so , - could the judicial directive been any different; especially seeing that is the one and only option open to try and bring back the citizen to his normal health ; also serve the other purpose of restoring and placing back the 'nation's economy' on the rails ?!
vram2311
6 years ago
Govt is already ridden with debt , fiscal deficit . Looking at the mass testing the honourable court should have atleast fixed the charge at INR 10 per tests .Free makes no economic sense
raviforjustice
Replied to vram2311 comment 6 years ago
Would the Honb'le judges first ensure that the courts are made accessible to all citizens free of cost? If one can go to a police station or a sub divisional/ district magistrate and try and get grievances redressed at no cost why should one pay to approach the judiciary on which they alone have jurisdiction?
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