News Legacy
Billy Begas
July 22, 2020
DOH told to set single price for swab test
Deputy Speaker and 1PACMAN Rep. Mikee Romero urged the Department of Health (DOH) to set a common price for the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for suspected COVID-19 carriers.
Romero said that among nine private and government hospitals in Metro Manila, the cost for the gold-standard swab test ranges from P3,500 to P8,150.
The Philippine Red Cross offers the cheapest swab screening at P3,500.
He said a private hospital in Quezon City charges P4,300, but the cost goes up to P8,000 for the drive-thru swab.
The test in the government-run Lung Center in Quezon City is P4,600.
“The cost hospitals incur in doing the RT-PCR screening should not be much different. I am assuming that they are doing the same process and using the same equipment, and the personnel involved have the same training and experience,” said Romero.
He pointed out that having a single price would prevent suspected coronavirus carriers from flocking to one or two hospitals offering lower rates.
Romero said government hospitals and local government units with DOH-accredited laboratories should offer the lowest cost.
He also lamented that some nurses in government specialty hospitals in Quezon City have had to go to private test facilities because their tests are not prioritized in the hospitals where they work.
Romero said that among nine private and government hospitals in Metro Manila, the cost for the gold-standard swab test ranges from P3,500 to P8,150.
The Philippine Red Cross offers the cheapest swab screening at P3,500.
He said a private hospital in Quezon City charges P4,300, but the cost goes up to P8,000 for the drive-thru swab.
The test in the government-run Lung Center in Quezon City is P4,600.
“The cost hospitals incur in doing the RT-PCR screening should not be much different. I am assuming that they are doing the same process and using the same equipment, and the personnel involved have the same training and experience,” said Romero.
He pointed out that having a single price would prevent suspected coronavirus carriers from flocking to one or two hospitals offering lower rates.
Romero said government hospitals and local government units with DOH-accredited laboratories should offer the lowest cost.
He also lamented that some nurses in government specialty hospitals in Quezon City have had to go to private test facilities because their tests are not prioritized in the hospitals where they work.