The Consumer Affairs Authority has taken steps to impose a fine on a private hospital for charging higher prices for tests conducted by private hospitals and medical laboratories.
The Consumer Affairs Authority has imposed maximum fees for certain medical test fees charged by private hospitals and medical laboratories and the authority stated that the maximum fee that can be charged by the private sector for a Full Blood Count (FBC) blood test is Rs. 400.
However, a special raid conducted by the Consumer Affairs Authority officers revealed that a private institution located in the Palali Road, Kandarmadam area, Jaffna, had charged Rs. 550 for the test.
The Consumer Affairs Authority has reportedly filed a case before the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court regarding this incident.
After the defendant institution pleaded guilty to the relevant charges, the court imposed a fine of Rs. 03 million on the institution and ordered the defendant institution to publish an advertisement in major newspapers at its own expense regarding the offense committed.
The Consumer Affairs Authority urges the public to be aware of the maximum charges imposed when obtaining services from a private hospital or medical laboratory.
