Dengue virus test: Private laboratories to charge Rs 90: chief minister

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that maximum fee for dengue virus test has been fixed at Rs 90 in consultation with private laboratories and they will not charge more than this rate. He also directed that implementation on decided rates should be ensured and action should be taken against the laboratories overcharging without any discrimination.
He was addressing a meeting of emergency committee to review the steps taken for elimination of dengue virus here on Saturday, disclosed an official. Members National and Provincial Assemblies, chairmen of town committees, Punjab Additional Chief Secretary, secretaries of various departments and experts attended the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, he said the government has devised a co-ordinated strategy for elimination of dengue virus under which not only solid steps are being taken for eradication of this virus but best treatment facilities are also being provided to the patients in the hospitals.
He said modern machines and additional staff have also been provided in the hospitals in this regard. "In addition, nine filter clinics have started functioning in Model Town, Wahdat Colony, Bilal Ganj, Pathi Ground, Chohan Road, Raiwind, Kahna, Chung and Township in Lahore and modern machines have been provided there for diagnostic purposes. Similarly, 10 dispensaries of district government equipped with modern facilities would also be mobilised within a day or two," he added.
He said planning is also under consideration for fully activating more than 100 dispensaries of Lahore and these will soon start providing medical facilities to the people. He said whichever humanly possible is being done for elimination of dengue virus and provision of medical facilities to the people, which will yield positive results. He urged that all institutions and segments of the society will have to play their active role in this hour of trial. "This is not the time of profiteering but is serving to the ailing humanity and the private institutions should also supplement the government efforts," he added.
Taking strict action of lethargic attitude of private educational institutions regarding spray and other preventive measures, he said they were closed for the reason that all preventive measures should be completed there during this period. He directed that a comprehensive report with regard to spray in private educational institutions be submitted on September 19 (Monday) and the town committees will be bound to give certificates regarding spray.