Corona test cost in private labs will be halved in Pune on the lines of Mumbai

Pune, June 6, 2020: Private labs charge more than Rs 4,500 for corona testing in Pune. Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Amit Deshmukh said, “The state government has decided to charge Rs 2,000 in Mumbai. On the same lines, the government will decide to halve the rates in Pune as well.”

The Medical Education Minister, visited Pune yesterday to review various measures in the backdrop of Coronavirus outbreak, held a meeting with Divisional Commissioner Dr Deepak Mhaisekar, Jamabandi Commissioner S Chokkalingam, Pune Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar, Additional Commissioner Rubal Agarwal, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Ayush Prasad, Sassoon Hospital’s in-charge Dean Dr Muralidhar Tambe, and other officers of various departments and medical officers.

After listening to the statements and suggestions of the officers present in the meeting, Deshmukh said the administration should properly manage public and private hospitals to make patients aware of the availability of beds in urban and rural areas as well as to provide timely medical treatment. The health department is at the forefront of the fight against COVID19. He lauded the work of the officers and staff of various departments including the health department.

He also said that doctors, nurses, hygiene workers should take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID19 during this period, adding that some people have lost their lives due to corona. “The state government has been active from the beginning to ensure timely treatment of patients. Care is being taken to ensure that government, as well as private hospitals, do not run out of PPE kits, masks, sanitizers and medicines”, Deshmukh said.

He further added, “Emphasis needs to be placed on public awareness of the precautions to be taken in connection with the Coronavirus. Care should be taken not to neglect patients with other diseases along with COVID. Special care should be taken for the people suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory disorders and other ailments by increasing the screening capacity in the slum areas and giving them prescribed medication as a precautionary measure.”

Speaking about relaxation in lockdown, Deshmukh said restrictions were being relaxed based on the situation in the particular area. However, the challenge of preventing corona infection is before all of us. Citizens should also cooperate with the administration by following the rules of social distancing and hygiene to control the rising number of patients. Private and government doctors should work in coordination.

Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad and Commissioner Shravan Hardikar informed about the measures taken by the Municipal Corporation to reduce the morbidity and mortality rate and the measures to be taken in the future.