JPMC charging patients for Hepatitis tests

The Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) is charging fee from patients, who visit the facility for Hepatitis B and C tests, despite the fact that the provincial government-run health facilities offering the tests free of cost, Business Recorder learnt on Tuesday.
Sources said that JPMC's central laboratory administration was charging Rs 500 for the tests of Hepatitis B and C from pregnant women, who visit the hospital for gynecology and OPD examinations. They said that patients were also asked to get their tests from some specific laboratories, whereas tests from other than the 'prescribed' laboratories were not accepted.
"These tests are provided free of cost at other Sindh government-run hospitals whereas the same facility is not available at the JPMC," they added. Deputy Director JPMC Dr Seemin Jamali could not be reached for her version over the issue despite repeated attempts.
In-charge Hepatitis Control Programme (HCPD), Sindh Dr Majeed Chutto told Business Recorder that JPMC's Hepatitis control programme did not fall under the HCPD. "Despite devolution of the JPMC to the province, we have not yet taken over the said facility," Dr Chutto pointed out.
He condemned this JPMC administration for charging patients for the tests, saying that he was going to hold meeting with Sindh health minister to take up the issue with him. "After the meeting with health minister, Hepatitis Control Program Sindh will take over the hepatitis control programme of the JPMC," Dr Chutto said, adding that transparency would be ensured in order to facilitate the patients.
He said that the diagnosis and tests of the hepatitis were offered free of charge in the government-run teaching hospitals of entire province. He said strict action would be taken against those government-run hospitals that were making money out of it. Those facilities providing free of cost hepatitis treatment include Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), Sindh Government Qatar Hospital, Korangi General Hospital and Lyari General Hospital.
Business Recorder also learnt that due to lack of check and balance on supply and distribution of Hepatitis B and C vaccines and costly medicines, a large quantity of vaccines and medicines were pilfered from the stores of the facility.