SC directs free test for coronavirus at pvt labs;also orders Centre to ensure proper PPE, security for medical staff

In a big relief to the common people, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed that private labs should conduct coronavirus tests free of cost, observing they need to be philanthropic in the hour of national crisis.

Private labs are at present allowed to charge Rs.4,500 for screening and confirmation tests for COVID-19.

The top court in its interim order said the Centre should immediately issue directions for carrying out free COVID-19 tests in NABL accredited Labs or any agencies approved by the World Health Organisation(WHO) or the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR). It took note of the Centre's submission that government laboratories are conducting these tests free of cost.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and S Ravindra Bhat gave the directions on a PIL filed by advocate Shashank Deo Sudhi seeking a direction to the Centre and authorities to provide free of cost testing facility for COVID-19 to all citizens in the country.

In another coronavirus-related matter, the same bench observed that doctors and medical staff are the "first line of defence of the country" in the battle against COVID-19 pandemic, and directed the Centre to ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper security are made available to them.

Doctors and healthcare professionals are "warriors" in the fight against coronavirus and have to be protected, it said, as the Centre assured the court it is doing its best by providing them PPE and other facilities.

At the meeting of floor leaders of political parties in Parliament convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several opposition leaders also raised the issue of shortage of PPE for doctors and health workers.

India has recorded a sharp spike in coronavirus cases taking the total tally on Wednesday to over 5,500 with at least 172 deaths.

We find prima facie substance in the submission of petitioner that at this time of national calamity permitting private labs to charge Rs.4500 for screening and confirmation test of COVID-19 may not be within means of a large part of population of this country and no person be deprived to undergo the COVID-19 test due to non-payment of capped amount of Rs.4500, the apex court said.

At the daily Health Ministry media briefing, Head of Epidemiology and Communicable diseases at ICMR Raman R Gangakhedkar said 1,21,271 tests for COVID-19 have been done in the country so far.

Out of this, 13,345 tests were conducted on Tuesday of which 2,267 tests were done in private labs. He said 139 labs under the ICMR network are currently functional and 65 private have been given approval.

Thetwo judges, who heard the matter on video conferencing, said private hospitals including laboratories have an important role to play in containing the scale of pandemic by extending philanthropic services in the hour of national crisis.

We, thus, issue following interim directions to the respondents: (i)The tests relating to COVID-19 whether in approved Government Laboratories or approved private Laboratories shall be free of cost. The respondents (Centre and other authorities) shall issue necessary direction in this regard immediately. (ii) Tests relating to COVID-19 must be carried out in NABL accredited Labs or any agencies approved by WHO or ICMR."