Labaid, Ibn Sina fined for charging extra fees for dengue tests

The Directorate of National Consumer Right Protection (DNCRP) on Tuesday fined two private diagnostic centres Labaid and Ibn Sina for taking extra fees for dengue tests, violating the rate fixed by the government.

A team of the DNCRP, led by its Deputy Director (Dhaka division) Manjur Mohammad Shahriar conducted drives at the diagnostic centres and fined Labaid Tk 50,000 and Ibn Sina Tk 40,000 respectively after a hearing.

Earlier, some 16 complaints were lodged to the DNCRP as the aforesaid diagnostic centres were charging double fees than the rate fixed by the government.

On Monday, the DNCRP authorities also fined the Popular Diagnostic Centre in Dhanmondi TK 50,000 as it was charging TK 1,200 violating the government-fixed rate.

The government on Monday instructed all private healthcare institutions, including hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres in the country, to take maximum Tk 500 for each dengue test.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued an emergency circular, signed by its Director (hospitals and clinics) Dr Aminul Islam, in this regard on Sunday.

According to the circular, the new price of Dengue Test: NS1 Antigen test, IgM +IgE or IgM/IgE test is Tk500 (maximum) while CBC test- Tk400 (maximum).

Earlier, the costs of the tests were Tk1, 200- Tk2, 000 for NS1 Antigen test, Tk800- Tk 1,600 for IgG and IgM (together), and Tk1,000 for CBC test.

The DGHS has also asked the people to lodge complaints to it if private healthcare institutions of the country charge more than TK 500 for dengue tests.

How to lodge complaints about extra fees for dengue test

The DGHS authorities instructed common people to dial its ‘emergency minister monitoring sell hotline’ numbers: 01314766069, 01314766070, 02-47120556 and 02-47120557.

People will be also able to lodge their complaints by sending email to this ID: [email protected]

Source: dailysun