Pvt hospital, labs fleecing patients for H1N1 tests

A City-based patient was in for a rude shock when he was asked to pay Rs 7,800 on visiting a private hospital in the City, not for any treatment but just for a medical test.

This was the fee that Lahari, a resident of Bannerghatta Road, was asked to pay to undergo only laboratory tests to check for Swine Flu. It is nothing but a “money making spree”, remarked the patient.

The tests cost just Rs 2,250 at National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (Nimhans), which is among the four approved laboratories by the department of health and family welfare. According to sources in the health department, even samples from this private hospital that has charged Lahari as much as four times the basic cost are brought to Nimhans for testing.

Private labs too are charging not less than Rs 5,000 for the test. Dr Ravi, HOD, Neuro-virology department, Nimhans, who spoke at a recent meeting convened by health minister U T Khader, said that during peak days, the laboratory is flooded with samples. With private hospitals extorting money from patients, Nimhans is the last option for patients from the lower economic sections.

As on Saturday, 905 samples were tested for H1N1 across the State. As many as 247  tested positive and 17 deaths have been reported so far this year. “One death has been reported from Bidar. We are awaiting more details,” said an official from the health department. In the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike area, 118 have tested positive.

No labs
The Opposition in the Legislative Assembly on Friday asked the government to ensure that private hospitals do not exploit patients in the name of conducting tests for H1N1. Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar noted that there were not enough laboratories where samples could be tested and that private hospitals were exploiting patients.

It was also raised in the Assembly that there were no testing facilities for patients in North Karnataka. Speaking to Deccan Herald, minister Khader pointed fingers at the BJP for the lack of infrastructure. “In 2009, when there was an outbreak of H1N1, the BJP had to ensure labs were set up. Now, it is not our fault. We are contemplating having one in North Karnataka next year,” he said.