Gurgaon: Fortis Hospital Lab Sealed on account of over-charging

Haryana: Haryana Health authorities sealed the laboratories of two leading hospitals in Gurgaon following allegations of over-charging for dengue tests.

"The health department has issued show cause notices to three laboratories of renowned hospitals of Gurgaon and sealed two of these laboratories following allegations that these units were over-charging for dengue tests," Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij said here.

The laboratories of Fortis Hospital and KKR Diagnostic Lab were sealed by the officials following raids.

"Show cause notices have been issued to Lala Patoo Chand Lab, KKR Diagnostic Lab and the laboratory of Fortis Hospital, which were allegedly charging more than the rate of Rs 600 fixed by the state government for dengue tests conducted in private laboratories," Vij said.

"The KKR Diagnostic Lab and the laboratory of Fortis Hospital have been sealed and their records seized. An inquiry has also been ordered to look into it," he added.

Vij said that the local Sub-divisional Magistrate, along with officers of the health department, visited the laboratory of Fortis Hospital as a decoy patient and was asked to pay Rs 1,725. He was given a receipt for the same amount, on the basis of which the laboratory was sealed and records seized.

The minister said that orders have been issued to all Civil Surgeons to conduct raids and maintain strict vigil over such laboratories in their respective districts.

A spokesperson at FMRI in response to the action, released the following statement

“The Rapid card test, an abbreviated test for dengue was recently mandated by the Government. This advisory was not updated with us. We ran the Elisa test-which is conclusive for dengue, accounting for the difference in the cost of the two. As this was on account of an information gap-we have offered an immediate refund. We would like to emphasise that our action to conduct the Elisa test was in the best interest of the patient."