Delhi Government today fixed the rate of swine flu test in private laboratories in the city to maximum of Rs 4500. The move came following the complaints received by it that the private labs are charging Rs 9000 per patient for the tests related to Swine Flu symptoms.
Director, Health Services, Dr Subodh Kumar Sharma said that direction has been issued to such labs that they can not charge the patients beyond the prescribed limit of Rs 4500.
On the availability of medicines for the treatment of Swine Flu, Dr Sharma said that adequate stock of tamiflu medicines are available in all the 26 designated hospitals of the city. Besides, the Drug manufactures and Chemist distributors have also been asked to ensure supply of medicines in the national capital. He said, in government hospitals, the treatment for swine flu is free and also no fee is charged to patients for test to know the symptoms. Dr Sharma also said that there is no need to panic as adequate measures are in place to control the H1N1 influenza or Swine Flu.
Meanwhile, Delhi Government has also issued a Helpline number – 22307145 for Swine Flu. Health Minister Satyendra Jain said that any one can call on the helpline to get required information related to the disease.
I believe this step of fixing a maximum for swine flu blood test would be a big help to ask suspected patients with symptoms related to swine flu or H1N1 flu.
