Karachi: The Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHC) fixed the maximum price of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test of COVID-19 at Rs 4,500, bringing it down from Rs 6,500.
According to the details, the Sindh Healthcare Commission has slashed the PCR test cost by 30% or Rs 2,000 placing an upper ceiling of Rs4,500 for the test previously available for Rs6,500. The SHC has also issued a notification in this regard.
In the notification, all private laboratories, collection centres and hospital labs of the province have been informed regarding the new test prices that have been set in the public interest.
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The notification was issued under the Sindh Healthcare Commission Act 2013 Section 4 (2)(o) on Thursday that was endorsed by the Sindh Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho. “The price for rapid antigen tests has also been reduced from Rs1,500-3,000 to Rs1,200,” the notification stated.
The notification further advised authorised SHC officers to visit such centres to ensure compliance with the cost.
“Non-compliance shall entail penal consequences which may include inter-alia warning, fine, deregistration, suspension of service or stealing of premises,” the notification read.
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According to the notification, the test price (in case of home sampling) has been fixed at Rs 4,800.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SHC, Dr Ahson Qavi Siddiqui, said that the prices have been fixed after meeting with all laboratories and hospitals in Karachi. The public reserved the right to lodge a complaint with the SHC in case of non-compliance.
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