Health Ministry Looks At Fixed Price For Covid 19 Tests

---

 
Covid-19 testing, using the RT-PCR method, can cost between RM220 and RM388 at private clinics.PETALING JAYA: The health ministry is looking into controlling the price of Covid-19 screening tests at both private and public hospitals and clinics.
Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today the control measures would be similar to the price control of face masks that was set last year in view of the high demand.
The ceiling price of face masks was set at RM1.20 last August after being initially fixed at RM1.50 following a surge in retail prices due to high demand.
Noor Hisham said it was vital to control the prices of the screening tests, which are molecular diagnostic tests, which use the Real-Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerese Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method or the Rapid Antigen Test Kits.
“We are studying if we can fix the rates for these tests at public and private labs,” he said at a dialogue this evening.
Noor Hisham said these were among the initiatives the ministry felt could help manage the pandemic during the emergency period, which is scheduled to end on Aug 1.
The price of a RT-PCR test can vary between RM220 and RM388 at private clinics, while Rapid Antigen Test Kits could cost between RM90 to RM175.
Noor Hisham also said the ministry was considering allowing private doctors to issue a home surveillance order (HSO) as well as the pink wristbands to those who test positive for Covid-19.
“Now, we are looking to see if we can empower registered practitioners to issue a HSO or bands, and issue a release order as well as remove the pink wristbands,” he said.
A HSO requires individuals to self quarantine by staying at home and undergo testing on the 13th day.
On the collaboration between public and private hospitals, Noor Hisham said the ministry was looking at how it would allow certain Covid-19 patients, such as expatriates, to be referred to private hospitals if “cost was not a main factor”.
“If some (Covid-19 cases) prefer to be referred to a private hospital, we can do so.” - FMT

---