Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan s government in Kerala had in April cut private RTPCR test prices.
Thiruvananthapuram:
Days after it capped the rates for COVID-19 treatment in private hospitals, Kerala has sought to control the prices of key articles like PPE kits and masks required for preventing or treating COVID-19.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan s government today invoked the Kerala Essential Articles Control Act, 1986 and also cited the Central government s advisory that all efforts be made to ensure healthcare remains affordable to make the move.
The order was issued today by the state s food and civil supplies department. As per its rate chart, a PPE kit cannot be priced higher than Rs 273 and an N95 mask cannot cost more than Rs 22. Similarly, a fingertip pulse oximeter now will not cost more than Rs 1,500.