Covid-19 Test Costs Doctor $10,000 From Employer

Ugandans Fuming With Rage As Ministry Of Health Introduces Coronavirus Testing Fees

Posted by: lukwago J in Uganda news August 31, 2020

Ugandans are strongly against Ministry of Health’s decision to charge $65 approximately Ugsh240,000 for every coronavirus sample test conducted on individuals who are not contacts of previously confirmed cases or patients showing signs and symptoms.

In a letter signed by Sseremba Geoffrey on behalf of Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr Atwiine Diana, indicates that covid-19 infections have increased a lot especially from the community.

He said that several Companies and Organizations have approached Ministry of Health to have their employees tested which is hard to undergo due to financial issues due to the coronavirus outbreak.

“In view of the above fact therefore, the Government has introduced a testing fee of USD65 or UGX140,000 per test to certain categories of individuals and organizations. This is a cost recovery mechanism that will enable the Ministry to acquire more test kits for continued access to testing services in the country” Geoffrey wrote.

The newly introduced fees have affected several people including Government and Private Organizations that eagerly want to have their employees tested, Cargo Truck drivers testing at different border entry points, individuals who want to know their coronavirus status, visitors and Ugandans returning from abroad arriving into Uganda from different countries.

Meanwhile, the government will continue to offer free testing services to patients who appear at healthcare centres with coronavirus symptoms, community surveys to establish the level of spread of the deadly virus, contacts of people who have tested positive, frontline healthcare workers and surveillance samples.

The new development might affect a lot of people who will be unable to go for testing due to lack of funds.

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