The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal (“Department”) has capped the prices of certain services and products offered by Private Hospitals and Laboratories.
Background
COVID-19 had been declared a global pandemic. Considering the situation, the West Bengal Epidemic Disease, COVID – 19 Regulations, 2020 has been in force since 16th March 2020. The Department had previously issued advisories for private hospitals relating to their preparedness in dealing with the patients infected with COVID-19 and certain private laboratories had been allowed by the Indian Council of Medical Research to conduct COVID 19 tests.
The Department had received information on private hospitals and laboratories overcharging on PPEs, Consultation fees and testing charges normally levied.
In view of the above-mentioned, the Department has revised and capped the prices in the following manner:
a. Cost of COVID test: Capped at Rs. 2250/-.
b. Cost of PPE and other protective gear for indoor patients: Rs. 1000/- per day.
c. Consultation fees for indoor patients: Rs. 1000/- per day.
The Department has stated violations to the above-mentioned will be liable to be penalised under the West Bengal Epidemic Disease COVID-19 Regulations, 2020, the West Bengal Clinical Establishments (Registration, Regulation and Transparency) Act, 2017 and the West Bengal Clinical Establishments (Registration, Regulation and Transparency) Rules, 2017.
Source: Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal
