HC orders uniform rates for Covid tests in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 27

The state today sought the Punjab and Haryana HC’s urgent intervention for additional ventilators for paediatric use following apprehensions of a third wave.

The request came as the Bench issued a slew of directions on uniform rates for Covid-19 tests and reduction in the rates for HRCT (chest) by private diagnostic centres.

The Bench of Justice Rajan Gupta and Justice Karamjit Singh also called for setting up ICU control rooms for the relatives to remain in regular touch with patients and to be aware of their medical condition.

The Bench also made it clear that fact-finding inquiries on overcharging by some private hospitals could be called for and examined by the court at an appropriate stage to see if further action was required.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, Punjab Advocate-General Atul Nanda told the Bench that the positivity rate in urban areas had come down to 2.98 per cent and to 3.74 per cent in rural areas. Nanda said around 200 additional ventilators would be required. “As far as the ventilators are concerned, 55 are not working. We have written to the Centre to immediately attend to it. We are also demanding ventilators for paediatric use. If the third wave is to hit, and it is to hit the junior citizens of the state, this will be immediately required and we should be prepared for it,” Nanda added.

Additional Solicitor-General of India Satya Pal Jain, in response, submitted the needful would be done without delay. “If any further request is received from UT Chandigarh or Haryana in this regard, it shall also be considered forthwith and necessary steps taken,” he added.

The Bench also directed that the rates for rapid antigen test (RAT) and RT-PCR test in the two states and the UT were required to be uniform. Taking a cue from the rates prescribed by Punjab for private labs — Rs 350 for RAT and Rs 450 for RT-PCR — the Bench asked Haryana and UT to reconsider.

The Bench also described as reasonable reduced rate of Rs 1,800 charged by private diagnostic centres for HRCT (chest) in the UT, before expressing “hope and trust” that Punjab and Haryana, too, would impress upon private diagnostic centres to reduce the rates on similar lines.