Provide free Covid-19 testing, treatment: Mohammed Ali Shabbir to Telangana government

Hyderabad: Former Minister and ex-Leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council, Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Monday demanded that the testing and treatment of coronavirus patients should be completely free for poor and middle classes sections of the society.

Shabbir Ali, in a media statement welcomed the decision of the State government to permit private hospitals and laboratories to test and treat the Covid-19 patients. However, he said that as per the advice of Supreme Court, the State government should bear the cost of Covid-19 testing. Covid-19 should be included in the list of diseases covered under Aarogyasri scheme. He further said that it would be difficult for the poor and middle class to afford the cost of the testing and treatment fixed by the State government.

The former minister added, lakhs of people have lost their livelihood and jobs or faced huge cuts in salaries due to lockdown. Therefore, they won't be having money to get themselves tested and treated at a private facility, he said.

"Since the testing in government facilities has been limited and subject to various conditions, many people especially those with Covid-19 symptoms, will approach the private labs and hospitals for testing. It will be difficult for poor and even middle-class people to pay Rs 2,200 per test. The cost will be a huge burden if an entire family goes for the test. Therefore, the State government should pay for the testing charges in all private hospitals or labs," he demanded.