Dengue:Govt asks CHMOs to ensure uniform test fees in pvt labs

Rajasthan government today directed district authorities and health officers to ensure that private labs should charge uniform and affordable fees for dengue diagnostic tests in the state.
In a video conference, the Rajasthan Medical and Health Minister R S Rathore asked the authorities; collector and Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHOs) that they should formulate the clinical tests fees for seasonal diseases including dengue.
As soon as the patient found positive for swine flu or dengue, the treatment should start immediately without wasting time, the Minister said.
If required the dengue test kits or machines be purchased immediately, he said.

Fogging in densely populated parts of walled cities, and anti-larvae activity be initiated on war footing in collaboration with civic bodies, Rathore said.
The concerned officers should keep strict vigilance on cure and prevention of seasonal diseases, and file report of their respective districts regularly, he said.

CMHOs should also collect such patients' data from private hospitals on regular basis.
In view of massive blood donation drive on September 25, the minister asked district authorities in the state to make all arrangements for blood collection and create facilities for donors.
In a meeting with health minister, Jaipur private clinics have decided to charge Rs 250 and Rs 500 for dengue related tests in the city.

Meanwhile, when contacted the state medical and health director (rural) did not confirm whether there was any casualty due to dengue or a number of patients admitted to the government hospitals saying the reports were awaited from the hospitals.