Kochi: Medical Laboratory Owners' Association has threatened closure of labs if Covid test rates are not increased. The group said the government's decision to decrease rates was unilateral. RTPCR and antigen testing rates were reduced by the government from 300 to 100 per cent.

The organization sought to maintain RTPCR test rates at Rs 500 and antigen test at Rs 300. They claimed that lab owners are facing a financial crisis and will not be able to provide services at a lower cost in that situation. The Medical Laboratory Owners Association is planning to stage a protest, demanding the withdrawal of the reduced rate.

On February 9, the health department issued an order restructuring rates for Covid tests and safety equipment such as PPE kits and N95 masks in the state.

According to the new decision of the government, only Rs 300 will be charged for RTPCR tests, Rs 100 for antigen test, Rs 2350 for Expert NAT, Rs 1225 for TrueNAT and Rs 1025 for RT-LAM, includive of all charges.

The Laboratory Owners' Association has demanded to raise the RTPCR rate to Rs 900 and antigen testing to at least Rs 250.