Rs 2,200 for test, Rs 2,000 for bed: Rajasthan govt caps Covid care charges

In a two-hour review meeting on late Friday evening, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot capped the Covid-19 test charges for private laboratories in the state at Rs 2,200 against a fee of Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,500 which is charged as of now.

Moreover, the state government has fixed maximum charges per bed at Rs 2,000 and for bed with ventilators at Rs 4,000.

Taking note of reports about high fees being charged for Covid testing in Delhi, Ashok Gehlot said that he would not tolerate such exploitation in Rajasthan.

Ashok Gehlot ordered health department officials to ensure that private hospitals do not charge more than these rates and told them to initiate action against them under various sections of law including that of Epidemic Ordinance in case of violation.

Health officials are expected to work out details of further expenses such as the PPE kit for private hospitals amid reports of private hospitals charging lakhs of rupees for these besides another few lakhs for Covid packages in Delhi.

In Rajasthan, most of the coronavirus cases have been treated for free in government hospitals.