As dengue assumes epidemic proportion, Delhi govt and private players bicker over test price cap

The Delhi government’s directive to cap the cost of laboratory tests for dengue has upset owners of private hospitals and diagnostic clinics. According to the directive, private healthcare establishments can charge a maximum of Rs 600 for NS1 antigen and dengue antibody tests. Platelet count tests should cost no more than Rs 50.

Accusing the government of announcing the figure without taking them into confidence, the private players maintain that the cap is ‘unrealistic’ since it does not cover even the cost of raw material used. They say they are not being provided with extraction kits and other agents used for laboratory examination on subsidised prices.

Meanwhile, dengue has assumed an epidemic proportion with 1,900 cases and 16 confirmed deaths reported till September 17. Private laboratories are currently charging anywhere between Rs 900 and Rs 2000 for the dengue test while checking platelet count costs about Rs 200.

“We had proposed the government to reduce the price (of dengue tests) to Rs 950. But without consulting us, they fixed a cap of Rs 600, which is unrealistic and not at all acceptable to us. Our raw material cost itself is more than that,” Dr Lal Laboratories CMD Dr Arvind Lal told Firstpost.

They appear to have got the backing of the Indian Medical Association (IMA). “The government should plan its steps in consultation with private clinics, hospitals and diagnostic labs. The government has capped the price of Elisa test, not that of the rapid test. There is need for more clarification on the matter,” said IMA honorary general secretary Dr KK Aggarwal.

But the government argues that private facilities are supposed to do NS1 antigen (Elisa), not NS1 rapid antigen test, because the former is reliable but the later is questionable. Therefore, the capping is only meant for Elisa.

“As per the recommendation of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, it has also been directed that all hospitals and labs should conduct only NS1 Antigen (Elisa) and MAC Elisa test for confirmation of dengue. Private hospitals are luring panic-stricken people with quick diagnostic of dengue using rapid dengue antigen test, which gives result in an hour. But its accuracy is questionable,” Health Minister Satyendra Jain told Firstpost, adding that “the government has consulted several experts before deciding on the cap”.

Aggarwal countered the minister, saying “It is for the doctors to decide which tests are reliable and which are not. Let them decide”.

A pathologist at AIIMS agrees with the Delhi government’s argument that the Elisa technique is reliable and that there should be a standardisation of rates. But at the same time, he says, “Its kits are costly. The cap of Rs 600 is justified if the patients are coming to labs directly without being referred by a hospital.”

A majority of labs in the city continue charging the earlier prices. “We have not got any written order. Whatever has been said is verbal. Once we get any notification from the government, we will decide accordingly,” said a lab owner.