PMC Caps Dengue Test Fees at Rs 600 Amid Spike in Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Pune, 17th June 2025: With the onset of the monsoon showers, Pune is witnessing a rise in mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue. Amid complaints that private hospitals and diagnostic labs are overcharging patients for dengue tests, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has directed all private healthcare facilities to cap the test fee at ₹600.
In an official circular, PMC Health Chief Dr. Neena Borade stated that private hospitals and labs must report dengue-positive cases promptly to the civic body. As the number of suspected dengue cases increases during the rainy season, state guidelines have fixed ₹600 as the maximum permissible charge for dengue testing.
Despite this, reports suggest that some private facilities are charging higher rates, prompting the PMC to intervene. The civic health department has emphasized strict adherence to the pricing directive and warned of action against violators.
Free Testing at Government Hospitals:
To ensure accessible healthcare, the PMC has made free dengue testing available at Kamla Nehru Hospital and the Ghadikhana civic hospital. Alongside dengue, malaria cases are also on the rise, prompting routine fever screenings for every patient visiting civic hospitals.
Additionally, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA workers) have been tasked with conducting door-to-door fever surveillance. The workers have been provided with testing kits to identify suspected cases quickly and curb the spread of vector-borne diseases.
According to PMC data, 36 suspected dengue cases were reported in Pune in June alone. Since the beginning of the year, 166 suspected cases have been recorded, of which 8 were confirmed positive. The city has also reported 8 chikungunya cases and a concerning 807 malaria cases so far this year.
In response, the PMC’s health department is intensifying efforts to destroy mosquito breeding grounds across the city. Fogging operations, larvicide spraying, and public awareness drives are being ramped up to mitigate the threat.
