IGMH PCR priced at MVR 700, MVR 250-400 at private clinics
In a parliament sitting, Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed raised questions over the PCR testing of the 2021 hajj pilgrims.
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By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Tree Top, a private hospital in the Maldives, conducts PCR tests for Covid-19 for MVR 250, while Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), the government's main hospital, conducts the test for MVR 700.
In the parliament sitting on Tuesday, the questions raised by Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed regarding the PCR testing of the 2021 hajj pilgrims and the Islamic ministry’s responses to his questions were heard.
The questions he asked were:
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While state hospitals conduct Covid-19 testing for pilgrims, has the Hajj Corporation paid a private clinic for Covid-19 testing?
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If that's affirmed, then which clinic did the corporation hire?
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How much did the Hajj Corporation pay for Covid-19 testing per person?
Islamic minister Dr Ali Zahir, in a written response, addressed the questions by saying that the corporation had obtained required PCR testing as per their procurement policy.
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The lowest price was offered by the Mediflex Laboratory for PCR testing
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PCR testing for pilgrims was conducted via Mediflex at a rate of MVR 200 per person
According to the minister's letter, the price given by IGMH to conduct testing for pilgrims at the time was MVR 700 per head. The minister also said that the police also were not able to conduct the testing for a lack of chemicals with them.
Although Mediflex had set a special price of MVR 200 per pilgrim, the clinic charges the public more for PCR testing:
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MVR 400 for regular PCR tests
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MVR 1,000 for express PCR tests
Tree Top Hospital charges MVR 250 for regular PCR tests, and some other private clinics also conduct the test for MVR 400.
An IGMH spokesperson told Atoll Times that if PCR testing is required for patients who are being treated on site, it is done free of charge. He affirmed that self-requested tests are still being conducted for MVR 700.
"PCR testing was first charged MVR 1,000. It was later reduced to MVR 700, and the price has not been revised since then," the spokesperson said.
When asked why the cost of conducting the test at IGMH is higher than private clinics, the spokesperson said that any further information can be provided after seeking comments from the hospital management.
