The petition further stated "that the capping of the prices of the testing facility of COVID-19 in private hospitals/labs strikes at Article 14 of the Constitution of India as being arbitrary and unreasonable,"
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Centre to ensure that tests related to coronavirus whether in approved govt laboratories or approved private labs should be free of cost.
The Apex Court stated that the Centre should issue necessary directions in this regard immediately.
It alose stated that the tests should be carried out in National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories(NABL) accredited labs or any agencies approved by World Health Organisation (WHO) or Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The Supreme Court passed the direction after hearing the petition filed by lawyer 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.
Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said it is a developing situation and government at this time does not know how many laboratories will be needed and how long the ongoing lockdown will continue.
On April 3, the apex Court has sought a response from the centre and other authorities on the plea filed by Sudhi.
In the petition, Sudhi questioned the Indian Council of Medical Research's March 17 advisory which capped Rs 4,500 for testing of COVID-19 in private hospitals or labs, including screening and confirmatory tests.
"It is extremely difficult for the common citizen to get himself/herself tested in the government hospital /labs and being no alternative in the sight, the people are constrained to pay the capped amount to the private hospital/labs for protecting their lives," the petition stated.
The petition further stated "that the capping of the prices of the testing facility of COVID-19 in private hospitals/labs strikes at Article 14 of the Constitution of India as being arbitrary and unreasonable,"
The Apex Court also took note of the various incidents in different parts of the country where medical staff and doctors were attacked and misbehaved with. It observed that such incidents are bound to instill a sense of insecurity in doctors and medical staff.
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