To strengthen the screening for timely detection of corona positive patients, Punjab government has decided to allow private hospitals/clinics/labs to conduct Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) for Covid-19 after empanelment with District Health Authorities.
Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said that guidelines have been issued to all the deputy commissioners (DCs) and civil surgeons of state regarding allowing RAT for Covid -19 by private health establishments.
He said, “RAT kits would be provided free of cost by the department. Private hospitals/labs can charge maximum ₹250 from the patients, in case the kits have been provided by the health department. Earlier, rate of RAT was reduced for private labs from ₹1000 to ₹700 inclusive of GST and other taxes. The private hospitals/labs will follow Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for use of RAT kits provided free of cost by the Department of Health and Family Welfare.”
Highlighting SoPs, Sidhu said that private hospitals/clinics and labs should have a separate isolated area for the suspected patients, where the sample will be taken. The person taking samples will wear complete Personal Protective Gear. The institution should have an arrangement of biomedical waste management generated by the test as per the guidelines, he said. The Minister clarified that all RAT results are entered into the ICMR portal using the login ID credentials provided by the health department.
