More about why COVID-19 testing needs to be FREE for EVERYONE 1/n

People have opted out of testing due to the high cost as @sohinidastweets explains in this report

@ICMRDELHI @ProfBhargava @drharshvardhan
https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/high-price-of-coronavirus-testing-forces-patients-to-opt-out-say-labs-120032601473_1.html https://twitter.com/malini_aisola/status/1247914530929139713

Private labs lobbied worked hard to convince the Government to allow them to test & their supporters helped in setting the modalities for Private testing including excessive price of Rs.4500 @kiranshaw @MoHFW_INDIA
https://www.businesstoday.in/sectors/pharma/private-labs-to-begin-covid-19-testing-next-week-kiran-mazumdar-shaw-panel-to-work-on-modalities/story/398815.html 2/n

@Thyrocare which halted testing in protest of the SC order had said on Day 1 that most people were uncomfortable with the cost. Only 30 out of 5000+ people contacted agreed (including ~2000 names shared by Govt who needed testing)
https://twitter.com/velumania/status/1242690662895501312?s=20 3/n

On Day 1, @Thyrocare @velumania estimated cost of > 1 lac/test
https://twitter.com/velumania/status/1242690662895501312?s=20
By April 6, it claimed costs were clearer & linked to volumes. New menu of prices was offered.
https://twitter.com/velumania/status/1247054417045553152?s=20 4/n

In spite of the cap of Rs.4500 on testing charges, patients have been overcharged. Read @swapnil's ordeal with Dr L H Hiranandani hospital @PBiraia @SumitraRoyTOI https://twitter.com/unassertive/status/1248628416040939520?s=20 5/n

https://www.theweek.in/news/health/2020/04/11/mumbai-patient-alleges-overcharging-at-private-hospital-for-covid9-testing.html

Free testing is in line with WHO's recommendation to scrap all user fees & "REMOVE financial BARRIERS TO Health services to enable the timely diagnosis & treatment of COVID-19 for all who need them" @doctorsoumya @JoeKutzin @Anna_Marriott @Winnie_Byanyima https://twitter.com/yates_rob/status/1245814402265296906?s=20

WHO recommends to "remove financial considerations as a factor in someone’s decision to seek care because the evidence is overwhelming that fees at the point of use do not selectively deter “unnecessary” care but reduce use of all services, particularly for poorer persons." 7/n

"If people believe or are unsure whether or not they will have to pay, they may delay or forego seeking care, making the pandemic harder to control and putting entire societies at risk." @PMOIndia @amitabhk87 @AshwiniKChoubey @mansukhmandviya @DVSadanandGowda @IasAlok n/n

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