Health Department Sets ₹1,700 Price Cap on COVID and Influenza Tests

Swift Summary

• Teh Karnataka State Health department has issued a government order capping the price of influenza and COVID-19 tests at ₹1,700 in private hospitals and laboratories.
• This fixed rate applies to all viral infection detection tests conducted by private institutions, aiming to address complaints of exorbitant charges.
• Previously, some labs reportedly charged between ₹8,000 and ₹10,000 for such tests using ‘Influenza Panel’ kits for ordinary fevers.
• Violations of this price cap will lead to action under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act.
• Medical facilities are mandated to record SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) and ILI (Influenza-like Illness) cases on the Integrated health facts Platform (IHIP).

Indian Opinion Analysis
The decision by Karnataka’s Health Department reflects a regulatory effort aimed at standardizing healthcare costs amid public concerns over inflated testing fees in private medical establishments. By setting an upper limit on test pricing, the government seeks to ensure affordability while protecting consumers from exploitation during health crises or routine diagnostic needs. Enforcement mechanisms through statutes like the KPME act suggest accountability measures are in place, aligning with broader public health objectives such as integrated surveillance systems via mandatory IHIP reporting.

This move could potentially enhance trust in healthcare systems while ensuring equitable access for patients across economic strata without compromising quality standards amidst ongoing challenges posed by recurrent viral outbreaks.

Read more: Published – July 24, 2025 09:48 pm IST