Anil Vij, Haryana health minister
Chandigarh, July 1, 2016
Haryana Health Department has issued show cause notices to three laboratories of renowned hospitals of Gurgaon, and sealed two of them following allegations that these units were over-charging for dengue tests. The health minister has also ordered an inquiry in the case.
Health Minister Anil Vij said that show cause notices have been issued to Lala Patoo Chand Lab, KKR Diagnostic Lab and the laboratory of Fortis Hospital, which were allegedly charging more than the rate of Rs 600 fixed by the State Government for dengue tests conducted in private laboratories. KKR Diagnostic Lab and the laboratory of Fortis Hospital have been sealed and their records seized.
An inquiry has also been ordered to look into it, he added.
He said that the local Sub-divisional Mmagistrate, along with officers of the Health Department, visited the laboratory of Fortis Hospital as a decoy patient and was asked to pay Rs 1,725. He was given a receipt for the same amount, on the basis of which the laboratory was sealed and records seized.
The Minister said that orders have been issued to Civil Surgeons across the State to conduct raids and maintain strict vigil over such laboratories in their respective districts.
He said that the Health Department had earlier fixed rate of Rs 600 for dengue test and had also issued orders to laboratories to display the rate list of tests. He said that orders have been issued to teams of Health Department to conduct raids in this regard across the State. He also urged the people to lodge a complaint with the local Civil Surgeon in case they are over-charged. The Haryana Government was setting up advanced laboratories at Gurgaon, Bhiwani, Hansi and Panchkula, he added.