Haryana brings cost of RT-PCR test in pvt labs down to ₹1,600

GURUGRAM: The Haryana government has brought down the cost of the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test, considered the ‘gold standard’ for coronavirus (Covid-19) diagnoses, to ₹1,600 in private labs, senior state officials confirmed Saturday. Earlier, the price for an RT-PCR test in private labs was ₹2,400.

In an order issued by the Haryana Medical Service Corporation Limited (HMSCL) to all districts, six private laboratories and medical colleges are empanelled with the state to conduct RT-PCR tests at a reduced testing charge.

“It started with ₹4,500 as the initial rate, fixed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for RT-PCR. We then renegotiated it to ₹3,200-₹3,950 and then reduced to ₹2,400. Now, we have fixed the testing charge for RT-PCR at ₹1,600,” said Rajeev Arora, additional chief secretary, health department.

The HMSCL has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four labs in Gurugram and two labs in Delhi. In Gurugram, Modern Diagnostic and Research Centre Lab (Jawahar Nagar) Core Diagnostics (Udyog Vihar, Phase 3), Pathkind Diagnostics (Udyog Vihar, Phase 4) and Molecular Laboratory (SGT University) are empanelled. Dr Shivani Sharma, vice president, Pathology Services, Core Diagnostics, said: “Core Diagnostics has been in partnership with the Haryana government since Covid-19 outbreak and has contributed to increase the testing capabilities of the authorities. The lab has been collecting samples from all over Haryana and has employed strict safety measures and processes.”