Make COVID-19 testing free for all citizens, suggests Supreme Court

Ensure that testing facilities for coronavirus are available for free of cost for all citizens, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday (April 8) directing the Centre to explore a feasible mechanism.

Justices Ashok Bhushan and S Ravindra Bhat suggested the government to find new alternatives to reimburse private labs for COVID-19 testing so that citizens don’t have to pay heavy amounts for it.

“Don’t allow private labs to charge high amount for tests. Create mechanism for reimbursement (of private labs) from government,” Justice Bhushan suggested.

Currently, private labs charge people for coronavirus tests, however, the amount is capped at ₹4,500.

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While representing the central government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that he will take necessary instructions in this regard.

Due to the dearth of lesser government facilities to test people for COVID-19 infection, private labs in India were roped in amid the increasing number of cases.

According to the health ministry, to date, the country reported 5,194 cases and 149 deaths as of Wednesday afternoon.

The top court’s directive comes in the backdrop of a petition filed by advocate Shashank Deo Sudhi regarding government facilities being packed to capacity, making it difficult for people to get themselves tested.

His plea added that with no other alternative, the citizens are forced to pay more amounts to get tested in private labs and it is saddling for ordinary citizens with such financial burden effectively deprives them of their accessibility to medical facilities and is violative of right to life guaranteed under article 21 of the Constitution.