Private laboratories in the national capital have started testing for swine flu. These tests which were earlier conducted only in government designated centres can now take place at Dr Dang and Dr Lal's path lab and Auroprobe which have all been given the go ahead.
All of them have multiple collection centres where people can just walk in and give their sample.
Tamil Nadu has nine private labs conducting H1N1 tests. Maharashtra has asked central government to identify private labs. Now, even Delhiites have the all-important choice to walk into a private lab for a swine flu test.
Now, you can skip the queues for a price.
So, how are private labs different from government hospitals?
Swine flu testing:
Government Vs Private
Result in 4-5 days Result within 48 hours
Screening, then testing Anyone can be tested
Samples taken at hospital Sample collection from home
For one, the test result will be out within 48 hours instead of the usual 4 or 5 days. No patient will be turned away. People can walk in to collection centres and get a test. What's more these multiple centres can collect your samples from home.
"We will give a faster turn around time. Maximum 48 hours. Patients who go to private hospitals can come directly or their samples can be collected from home also," said Dr Arvind Lal, Lal Path Labs.
But these facilities come with a heavy price tag of 9,000 rupees unlike government hospitals where it is for free.
"I still feel that cost can be brought down further. Private labs pay a lot of customs duty, up to 30-40 per cent. If we are exempted from this costs can come down," said Nimrat Bawa, Director, Auroprobe Labs.
After the mismanagement by two private hospitals in the case of Reeda Sheikh - India's first swine flu victim - the central government took its time in approving private labs. But despite the price, the centres are flooded with calls.
Nimrat Bawa said: "We will start sample collection by this evening."
