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Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
PCMC issues show cause notice to Wakad hospital over excess dengue test charges
Jul 03, 2025 08:12 AM IST The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has issued a notice to Pentagon Hospital in Wakad for allegedly charging more than the government-mandated rate for dengue diagnostic tests, said officials. he directive was issued to prevent financial exploitation of patients during outbreaks of vector-borne diseases like dengue, the notice read, a copy of which Hindustan Times has seen. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC) The civic body issued the show cause notice based on media reports on June 30. Hindustan Times published the report 'Patient claims private hospital overcharges for dengue tests' on June 29 about the hospital allegedly charging more than ₹ 600 fixed by the state government for dengue tests such as NS1, ELISA, or MAC ELISA, in violation of a government resolution issued on September 28, 2016, which caps the cost of each of these dengue diagnostic tests at ₹ 600 in private hospitals and laboratories across Maharashtra. The directive was issued to prevent financial exploitation of patients during outbreaks of vector-borne diseases like dengue, the notice read, a copy of which Hindustan Times has seen. 'The hospital has been asked to submit a written explanation within two days of the receipt of the notice. If the explanation is not provided within the given time or is found to be unsatisfactory, PCMC will take appropriate action against the hospital,' said Dr Laxman Gophane, health officer, PCMC. Meanwhile, the private hospital officials did not respond to phone calls requesting comment.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
PMC maps vector-borne disease hotspots for target spraying
Pune: Stepping up its fight towards vector-borne diseases, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) this monsoon has decided to conduct a focused drive and mapped vector disease outbreak-prone areas from past three years. Based on the data, a micro-level plan for insecticide spraying and fumigation has been prepared, said officials on Friday. PMC this monsoon has decided to conduct a focused drive and mapped vector disease outbreak-prone areas from past three years for micro-level insecticide spraying and fumigation. ((PIC FOR REPRESENTATION)) Last year, Pune city reported 5,340 cases of dengue, 485 of chikungunya, 109 of zika virus, and 21 cases of malaria. The civic health department is working in coordination with the state irrigation department, cantonment boards, civic environment department to control the spread of water hyacinth to check mosquito breeding grounds. Dr Rajesh Dighe, assistant health officer, PMC, said the civic body has conducted rallies, poster campaigns, and distributed pamphlets to raise public awareness. 'PMC has identified 33,474 permanent and 37,874 temporary breeding spots,' he said. According to PMC officials, during the container surveys, the civic body this year has issued notices to 814 individuals and establishments found responsible for mosquito breeding and ₹ 96,300 fine was collected. Accredited social health activists (ASHAs) will be provided with blood sample collection kits for early malaria detection. MJ Pradeep Chandran, additional municipal commissioner, PMC has directed all departments to support the health department's efforts during the monsoon. Dengue testing capped at ₹ 600 PMC has issued orders to private hospitals and laboratories not to charge more than ₹ 600 for NS1 ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and MAC ELISA tests used for confirming dengue. The order affirms Maharashtra government's resolution issued in 2016, putting a blanket cap of ₹ 600 for the tests. They have been instructed to alert suspected and confirmed cases to PMC.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
State govt puts cap of Rs 600 again for dengue test
1 2 3 Pune: The state govt has again capped the price of ELISA test for dengue at Rs 600 while issuing fresh directives to all hospitals and laboratories amid a rise in vector-borne infections like dengue and chikungunya this monsoon. The rate has remained unchanged since 2016. In 2015, Delhi became the first state to cap the rate of dengue test at Rs 600, which was then followed by Maharashtra. Pune Municipal Corporation officials have urged patients to lodge a complaint in case any hospital or laboratory is found to be charging more than the capped amount. The state health department has been telling diagnostic labs and hospitals since 2016 to cap the cost during monsoon to make these tests affordable for patients. However, it is often seen that labs overcharge anywhere between Rs800 and Rs1,100 per test, which deters patients from undergoing a proper evaluation. Dr Sandeep Sangale, joint director, health services, Maharashtra, said, "Since 2016, the state has ordered all private hospitals and labs to conduct NS1 ELISA and MAC ELISA dengue tests within Rs 600 to ensure that there is no exploitation of patients by these labs or hospitals. We have also instructed the labs to make sure that under no circumstances do they use rapid diagnostic kits to test dengue samples and stick to ELISA tests only for confirming dengue. We have sent the circular to all directors under the health department and the concerned medical officers in civic bodies and zilla parishads as well." Confirming the same, Dr Nina Borade, chief health officer, PMC health department, said, "We have received the circular and issued a notification to all the private labs and hospitals registered with us to ensure that they do not charge more than Rs 600 for a dengue ELISA test. We also urge citizens to come forward if they find any lab or hospital charging more than the stipulated amount. During monsoon we see a surge in the number of cases and so the govt has capped the prices to make sure that everyone can afford these tests, which are important for determining the course of treatment. " Borade said that citizens can mail their complaints to health@ or contact the department on 020- 25501215 Meanwhile, Indian Medical Association (IMA) has stated that while most members do comply with the govt guidelines, there is disagreement among some regarding the capping. Dr Sanjay Patil, chairperson, Hospital Board of India, IMA Pune chapter, said, "The feasibility of any cost for any diagnostic test or procedure depends on the material used and the infrastructure involved. Every hospital or a diagnostic center has the freedom to decide the rate for the investigation but considering that dengue is prevalent in Pune and for the time being the govt has put these restrictions, so all private hospitals are following the govt guidelines. However there is some unrest among the hospitals on price capping which has remained the same since 2016." On Wednesday, TOI reported that an early monsoon had triggered a surge in vector-borne infections in the state as the number of cases has surpassed those reported in 2024 for the first six months. Pune also has seen a surge in the number of vector-borne infections. Altogether 169 suspected and eight confirmed dengue cases have been reported this year of which 62 suspected and two confirmed were reported in May and June (till 18). Also, eight chikungunya cases have been reported in Pune city this year. Pune: The state govt has again capped the price of ELISA test for dengue at Rs 600 while issuing fresh directives to all hospitals and laboratories amid a rise in vector-borne infections like dengue and chikungunya this monsoon. The rate has remained unchanged since 2016. In 2015, Delhi became the first state to cap the rate of dengue test at Rs 600, which was then followed by Maharashtra. Pune Municipal Corporation officials have urged patients to lodge a complaint in case any hospital or laboratory is found to be charging more than the capped amount. The state health department has been telling diagnostic labs and hospitals since 2016 to cap the cost during monsoon to make these tests affordable for patients. However, it is often seen that labs overcharge anywhere between Rs800 and Rs1,100 per test, which deters patients from undergoing a proper evaluation. Dr Sandeep Sangale, joint director, health services, Maharashtra, said, "Since 2016, the state has ordered all private hospitals and labs to conduct NS1 ELISA and MAC ELISA dengue tests within Rs 600 to ensure that there is no exploitation of patients by these labs or hospitals. We have also instructed the labs to make sure that under no circumstances do they use rapid diagnostic kits to test dengue samples and stick to ELISA tests only for confirming dengue. We have sent the circular to all directors under the health department and the concerned medical officers in civic bodies and zilla parishads as well." Confirming the same, Dr Nina Borade, chief health officer, PMC health department, said, "We have received the circular and issued a notification to all the private labs and hospitals registered with us to ensure that they do not charge more than Rs 600 for a dengue ELISA test. We also urge citizens to come forward if they find any lab or hospital charging more than the stipulated amount. During monsoon we see a surge in the number of cases and so the govt has capped the prices to make sure that everyone can afford these tests, which are important for determining the course of treatment. " Borade said that citizens can mail their complaints to health@ or contact the department on 020- 25501215 Meanwhile, Indian Medical Association (IMA) has stated that while most members do comply with the govt guidelines, there is disagreement among some regarding the capping. Dr Sanjay Patil, chairperson, Hospital Board of India, IMA Pune chapter, said, "The feasibility of any cost for any diagnostic test or procedure depends on the material used and the infrastructure involved. Every hospital or a diagnostic center has the freedom to decide the rate for the investigation but considering that dengue is prevalent in Pune and for the time being the govt has put these restrictions, so all private hospitals are following the govt guidelines. However there is some unrest among the hospitals on price capping which has remained the same since 2016." On Wednesday, TOI reported that an early monsoon had triggered a surge in vector-borne infections in the state as the number of cases has surpassed those reported in 2024 for the first six months. Pune also has seen a surge in the number of vector-borne infections. Altogether 169 suspected and eight confirmed dengue cases have been reported this year of which 62 suspected and two confirmed were reported in May and June (till 18). Also, eight chikungunya cases have been reported in Pune city this year.
