Dengue outbreak: Clinics, labs cash in on fear fever

KOLKATA: Private clinics and hospitals in the city seem to be making the best out of the dengue panic.
With doctors fearing a dengue epidemic this year, private hospitals are charging varying rates for the NS-1 antigen test, which is being recommended to virtually every fever patient.
In Salt Lake, which seems to be facing its worst dengue outbreak, private clinics and hospitals are charging anything between Rs 700 and 1,800 for the NS-1 antigen tests.“Why do the rates vary so much? My son has been tested positive. While one private hospital charged Rs 600 for the NS-1 test, another asked for Rs 1,820,” said a resident of BG block.
The state health department officials said the test is not necessary.
Residents also complain that Bidhannagar municipality is not doing enough to control the outbreak. “I do not see any effort from the civic authorities. They are not even conducting any awareness campaign,” said a resident.
Civic officials, however, say they are trying their best to control the disease. “We are spraying oil on a regular basis to kill the mosquito larvae. In many cases, it is not even dengue, just common viral fever,” a civic official said.
What has made it worse is that many doctors are asking patients to go for the antigen test on Day 1 of the fever. “Pharmaceutical companies have campaigned extensively since last year, leading to a spurt in number patients going for the test,” said Asit Biswas, spokesperson of health department. Officials said the NS-1 antigen test has registered almost 70% positive cases, which are actually false.
“Private hospitals and pathology laboratories are making a killing out of the situation. We advise people not to take that test,” said Biswas. Senior doctors acknowledge that there is a spurt in the number of patients going for the test.
“In India, the NS-1 antigen test kit has been in use for almost two years, but last year the sensitization campaigns were made aggressive,” said Dhrubo Niyogi, a virologist and the former director of the School of Tropical Medicine.
“The antigen test helps detect dengue on the first day of the fever, but there are chances of false results too. The Mac Elisa test on the fourth day of fever is the ideal test to detect dengue virus,” added Niyogi.
Private hospitals and pathology laboratories have their take. “We have tried to keep the price within the range. We don’t want to overcharge,” said an official of Colombia Asia Hospital, which charges Rs 600 for the NS-1 antigen test.
“Our hospital is NABL accredited and we have fixed the price keeping in mind the establishment costs,” said Pradip Tandon, CEO of Bellevue Clinic, justifying the price tag of Rs 1,470 for the antigen test.
Ashok Laboratory charges Rs 1,200 for the test. “The price depends on which method is used and the number of controls undertaken to determine the test result,” said Abhijit Banerjee, laboratory director, Ashok Laboratory. Cost of NS 1 antigen test in different hospitals and diagnostic centres
Calcutta Medical Research Institute (CMRI) - Rs 1,000
Columbia Asia Hospital - Rs 600
Reliance diagnostics - Rs 900
AMRI hospitals - Rs 1,850
Belle Vue Rs - Rs 1,470
Ruby general hospital - Rs 1,600
Religre diagnostic centre - Rs 1,000
Asok laboratory - Rs 1,250