Kerala HC refuses to stay govt order on RT-PCR cost

The Kerala government has ordered private labs to reduce the cost of RT-PCR test to Rs 500 from the current price of Rs 1700.

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Friday refused to stay an order by the Kerala government to reduce the price of the RT-PCR test Rs 1,700 to Rs 500 at private laboratories.

The petition filed by 10 private laboratories challenging the order, said that the decision by the state government was based on market research.

Justice N Nagaresh, who is overseeing the matter, said, "It was discernible from data that cost of RT-PCR test which includes taking nose and throat swabs ranged from Rs 135 to Rs 250."

Earlier, the high court had directed the state government to regularise rates and ensure fixed charges for treatment of COVID patients across all hospitals after hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to control overcharging by private hospitals. As per the union health ministry, Kerala currently has 3,91,253 active COVID-19 cases.

(With ANI inputs)