DIMAPUR, JULY 23 (MExN): The Medical Superintendent, COVID-19 Hospital Dimapur, Dr Z Kheshito Zhimo has informed that government servants/persons on reaching their destination district sample collection centre, will be tested using TrueNat which will be free cost for the persons on official government duty.
Whereas “others” will be charged Rs 1,500 per test, informed a report from the DIPR. It was not specified who the “others” referred to. The Medical Superintendent, the DIPR reported, informed that this was as per the SOP from the Home Department in regard to guidelines to be followed by government servant/person.
He further informed that only if tested negative will the government servant/person be allowed to proceed to his or her place of work while following all the safety precautions of wearing mask at all times, frequently sanitizing hands and maintaining physical distancing.
If tested positive, the government servant/person will be placed in an appropriate COVID facility and due protocol will be followed, the report added.
The decision of the government to charge for COVID-19 test has drawn criticism from several sections.
A senior government official when asked about the issue said that it was too soon to begin charging people. “As far as my personal opinion is concerned, it is not time yet to charge common people. Government should continue to provide free service for some more time,” he added.
CPN against making payment compulsory for COVID-19 tests
Meanwhile, the Concerned People of Nagaland (CPN) has written to the Nagaland Governor, RN Ravi expressing concern on the issue and said: “Given the fact that each person suspected of being infected requires at least 3 tests to be cleared of suspicion of infection, leave alone the periodic tests required by those actually infected; it is tantamount to requiring each person exposed to the Coronavirus to pay a minimum of Rs 4,500.”
A press release from the CPN Convener, Kahuto Chishi Sumi termed this as “illegal,” and said that testing for a disease comes under providing a service; and a person pays for a service if, and only if, he requests for the service. “A service cannot be made compulsory, then charged for. For when it comes to contact tracing for the virus, all those who come into contact with an infected person must undergo mandatory testing for the virus. Charging money for these mandatory services is illegal,” it added.
It meanwhile observed that payment for testing for COVID-19 “would not be a big issue if transparency, regarding the more than Rs 1,000 Crores that the Government of India has released to the Government of Nagaland, to date, had been maintained.” “But far from maintaining transparency about the central funds, the Government is levying a COVID cess on petroleum and diesel, the purpose for which remains shrouded in mystery,” it alleged.
The CPN said that once the people are made aware of their right to refuse to pay; the Cabinet will try to pass an ordinance or a bill in the State Assembly, making payment for Coronavirus tests compulsory.
“In the event that the Government does make such a move, I, on behalf of the common people of Nagaland, seek the protection of your office and request you to kindly refuse your assent to such an ordinance or bill,” the CPN said to the Governor.
