Punjab Govt allows private labs to conduct antigen tests

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, September 8

To improve the screening of people for timely detection of Covid-positive patients, the Punjab Government has decided to allow private hospitals/clinics/labs to conduct rapid antigen testing for Covid-19 after empanelment with the district health authorities.

Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said guidelines had been issued to all Deputy Commissioners and Civil Surgeons regarding allowing rapid antigen testing by private health establishments. He said testing kits would be provided free of cost by the department.

The Civil Surgeons will empanel those private hospitals/clinics/labs which are willing to get empanelled voluntarily for testing through kits provided free of cost by the department.

The minister said the private hospitals/labs could charge maximum Rs 250 from patients. Earlier, the price of rapid antigen testing had been reduced for private labs from Rs 1,000 to Rs 700.