The Youths Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) has filed a petition to the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) for immediate intervention to subsidise the cost of COVID-19 testing in private hospitals and medicines used for treatment of COVID-19.
The complaint stated that some private hospitals namely Babina Diagnostic Centre, Raj Medicity and others are charging a sum of Rs 2,400 and Rs 2,800 for COVID-19 test, which are unbearable by various sections of the society. And one drug namely “Remdesivir for injection 100mg/vial” produced by Cipla is sold at Rs 4,000 in some of the pharmacies run by private hospitals, it said.
The forum asked the MHRC to direct the state authority to regulate and maintain a standard cost for the COVID-19 test and drug used for the treatment of COVID-19. It further asked to direct the Manipur Medical Council to submit a report on the costs.
Considering the complaint MHRC registered a case and examined the petition which shows the different rates of fees charged by different hospitals and the sale of Remdesivir injection at the highest price at some private pharmacies.
“Such abnormal, improper and legally unjustified acts/sales are directly attacking the public rights to life, health, health-care, guaranteed by Article 21 read with Article 14 of Indian Constitution,” stated MHRC.
MHRC accordingly directed the commissioner (health), government of Manipur and director (health), government of Manipur to inquire into the matter and submit detailed reports on or before November 6.
