Capped Covid-19 test prices do not include other costs - association

 

The costs of undergoing Covid-19 tests at private health facilities would be higher than ceiling prices gazetted under the Emergency Ordinance 2021, according to the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia.

Its president Dr Kuljit Singh said this is because the gazetted amount is not inclusive of fees to obtain the sample, cost of personal protective equipment and the consultation fee of the medical personnel.

"Private hospitals will display the final Covid-19 test charges, which will include the laboratory charges and other costs for the public to choose and decide, and it will vary from each hospital based on its service and geographical location.

"However, it will be kept as low as possible to cover the total cost," Kuljit said in a statement.

He said the government has, under the Emergency Ordinance 2021, gazetted the following prices: polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests at RM150, RTK-Antigen tests at RM60 and RTK-Antibody tests at RM50 in Peninsular Malaysia.

The ceiling price for RT-PCR tests in Sabah and Sarawak has been fixed at RM200, RTK-Antigen tests (RM80) and RTK-Antibody tests (RM70).

"We hope this helps the public to understand that the gazetted price declared by the government is solely on the cost of the laboratory test, which will not include the extra costs for service, delivery of samples, tracing results and the protective equipment cost of the hospital staff," Kuljit said.

He added that most of the association's 152 members have, since the start of the pandemic last year, conducted various methods of Covid-19 tests, including drive-ins and walk-in tests.

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba said on Tuesday that the prices for the Covid-19 tests have been capped to ensure they remain reasonable, with the capped prices to serve as a "guideline" for the public when paying for such a test. - Mkini