COVID-19 test no longer free of charge

Coronavirus test seekers will no longer be able to do the test for free at state-run test facilities as the government has decided to charge people for the test.

A suspected patient will have to pay Tk 200 for test at the hospital while the charge will be Tk 500 for samples collected from home.

The test has so far been offered free of charge at state-run facilities. For private facilities, however, the fee is Tk 3,500 at hospitals and Tk 4,500 for home service.

The finance ministry has already approved a proposal submitted by the health services division. Earlier, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) had submitted a proposal to the division in this regard. The charges will be effective once the order is issued.

This was confirmed by the additional secretary of health services division, Md Muhibur Rahman. A source at the division office said the order is likely to be issued on 29 June.

There are 68 coronavirus test laboratories across the country. Till 27 June, Bangladesh has reported 1,37,787 coronavirus cases and 1,738 deaths.