Odisha caps COVID-19 RT-PCR test prices at ₹400

The Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government has brought down the rate of COVID-19 RT-PCR tests in the private laboratories to ₹400 from ₹1,200.

The decision came a day after the Delhi and Gujarat government ordered the reduction of the prices of RT-PCR tests. The UP government also followed the decision and capped the RT-PCR test prices in the state at ₹700.

In July, the state government had capped the price of RT-PCR tests at private laboratories at Rs 2,200 and it was then reduced to Rs 1,200 in August.

According to the notification issued by the health and family welfare department, anyone undergoing RT-PCR test at private laboratories, within the state, will now have to pay a maximum amount of Rs 400, including GST.

The tests will be conducted by private laboratories under the supervision of Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar, following ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) guidelines, it said.

The tests at government laboratories are free of cost.

The state has four ICMR approved laboratories where RT-PCR tests can be done.

(with inputs from PTI)
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