The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab (“Department”) has directed that no private laboratory should charge any amount more than Rs. 900/- for RT-PCR test for COV ID-19, inclusive of GST/Taxes, documentation and reporting in the State of Punjab. Any additional cost for home collection of samples is to be fixed by individual laboratory. The lab shall adhere to the following conditions:-
a. All the testing protocols as laid down by ICMR and the Government of India and the State Government from time to time shall he followed by the Private Laboratories
b. The Private Laboratories shall share the data pertaining to the results of tests for COVID-19 with State Government and uploaded on ICMR portal on timely basis
c. At the time of sampling, the identification, address and verified mobile number of the person. who is being tested. must he noted for record, as per sample referral form (SRI:).
d. The data should he uploaded on the RT-PCR app at the time of taking the sample. The test report should be communicated to the patient immediately after the testing is complete
e. All test results should he immediately communicated to the Civil Surgeon of the concerned district through e-mail with a copy to State IDSP cell of Punjab
f. All the private NABL, ICMR approved laboratories are instructed that information of the patient should be maintained with utmost confidentiality. All the private COVID- 19 testing laboratories must preserve the RT-PCR machine generated data and graphs for future verification by the State Government.
g. laboratories are also instructed to display rates in visible manlier.
Further, in another Order dated 19th November, 2020, the Department has directed that no private diagnostic centre should charge any amount more that Rs.2000/- for CT Scan/HRCT Chest (inclusive of GST/Taxes, documentation and reporting in the state of Punjab. Further the diagnostic centres should adhere to the specific conditions-
1. All private diagnostic centres conducting CT Scan have to share their data with the district Civil Surgeon and they should not declare any COVID Positive or Negative report on the basis of CT Scan without confirmation from COVID laboratory.
2. The diagnostic centres should also display the rates in visible manner.
Source: Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab
