SC makes coronavirus testing free of cost, directs private hospitals not to charge fee for testing

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the government to issue appropriate orders immediately for free of cost testing for coronavirus even in private hospitals and laboratories, saying the current charges-though capped at Rs 4,500— will be beyond the reach of the poor. The court said it would examine later whether the private entities, carrying out the tests free of cost, would be entitled to reimbursement.

The apex court said private hospitals too have an important role to play in containing the scale of the pandemic by extending philanthropic services in the hour of national crisis.

“We find prima facie substance in the submission of petitioner that at this time of national calamity permitting private labs to charge Rs 4500 for screening and confirmation test of Covid-19 may not be within the means of a large part of population of this country and no person be deprived to undergo the Covid-19 test due to non-payment of capped amount of Rs 4500,” the court said.

“The private hospitals, including laboratories, have an important role to play in containing the scale of the pandemic by extending philanthropic services in the hour of national crisis. We thus are sati