Doctor seeks change in SC order on free Covid-19 test in private, govt labs

The senior surgeon has also sought a direction to the authorities to "forthwith set up testing labs in all municipalities and panchayat areas"

An orthopedic surgeon moved the Supreme Court on Saturday, seeking a modification in the April 8 order directing authorities to ensure Covid-19 tests in approved government and private laboratories be conducted free of cost.

Kaushal Kant Mishra has filed an intervention application in a pending PIL, saying if the testing is made free for all, private labs will be overburdened financially and slow down, according to PTI.

Mishra urged the court to allow private labs to do Covid-19 testing as per the rates stipulated in the ICMR Advisory dated March 17. He, however, said the labs can do the testing