Health Ministry Orders Crackdown on Private Hospitals Over FBC Test Overcharging
July 30, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Health has instructed authorities to step up inspections of private hospitals following reports that some institutions are charging patients more than the government-approved fee for Full Blood Count (FBC) tests, despite regulated price limits.
The directive comes as Sri Lanka continues to experience a rise in dengue infections, with many patients requiring frequent blood tests to monitor platelet levels and assess the progression of the illness. Health officials are concerned that excessive charges for these essential tests could place an added financial strain on affected families.
According to informed sources, the Ministry has requested the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) and other relevant agencies to carry out intensified inspections and enforcement operations to ensure private healthcare providers comply with the legally prescribed pricing structure.
The renewed enforcement effort follows the successful prosecution of a private hospital in Vavuniya, which was found to have charged patients above the maximum permitted fee for an FBC test.
The Consumer Affairs Authority stated that the violation was uncovered during a routine inspection conducted by its investigators. Legal action was subsequently filed before the Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court, which imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on the hospital for breaching government price controls.
The CAA reminded healthcare providers that, under Order No. 67 issued in accordance with Section 20(5) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, No. 9 of 2003, the maximum charge for an FBC test, inclusive of the laboratory report, is Rs. 400, while the ceiling price for a Dengue NS1 Antigen test, including the report, is Rs. 1,200.
Authorities have urged private medical institutions to strictly adhere to the approved pricing, warning that further legal action will be taken against establishments found violating the regulations, particularly at a time when demand for dengue-related diagnostic tests remains high.
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