Rise in Swine Flu cases: Mumbai private hospitals, labs hike charges of H1N1 tests

Mumbai: Topping the charts of Swine flu or H1N1 cases in the country this year– the city has reported more than 80 confirmed cases in the first week of August adding to 200 cases in total. In addition, H1N1 cases have surpassed last year's tally by 42.6%.

According to the health department, this year, till July 31, the total number of cases has climbed to 552, recording a 42.6 per cent surge in the first seven months. A total of 5,77,847 patients have been screened for swine flu across the state as of July 31.

While the health officials are concerned about the rising cases of swine flu in the state, some private hospitals and labs on the other hand are raking in profits by increasing their test prices from 'Rs 4,000-Rs 5,000' to around '12,000-15,000.'

Meanwhile, private hospitals are also charging high for hospitalization of the infected patients as well. Not just for inpatients, the cost of the H1N1 test is prohibitive even for those who are being treated on an outpatient basis. Private laboratories are charging anywhere between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000 for a single sample.

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In response, health officials are asking for the test's price to be limited due to the hike in the price of the test. State officials said with limited public facilities offering the test within the city, there should be some move towards restricting test prices.

An official told Free Press Journal, "If one family member is affected with swine influenza then everyone needs to get tested, meaning they would need to pay Rs 20,000-Rs 40,000, depending on the hospital charges. It seems hospitals are grabbing the chance to earn more through tests which need to be stopped."

According to a state official, hospital bills should be audited to determine the amount charged for H1N1 testing.

Dr Mangala Gomare, executive officer of health in the BMC, told HT, "The H1N1 cases are increasing and people have to be careful. Especially senior citizens, and patients with comorbid conditions like hypertension, diabetes and with low immunity levels. Otherwise, it is not a fatal infection but with immuno-compromised patients, it turns out to be critical. The facilities are present in our hospital but people should exercise caution at the individual level."

If a person experiences the symptoms of the Swine flu including fever, cough/sore throat/throat irritation, body ache, headache, diarrhoea/vomiting, then treatment should not be delayed because it leads to complications and risk of death said the health officials.

"Monsoons are known to be the season in which influenza peaks in India. This is the first monsoon post-pandemic in which we have unrestricted social intermingling, including schools, public transport, workplaces and recreational settings such as cinema halls and restaurants," said Dr Lancelot Pinto, pulmonologist and epidemiologist at PD Hinduja Hospital.

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