HCMC – The Ministry of Health has asked public healthcare facilities not to collect Covid-19 testing fees from patients if they require patients to undergo the tests.

According to the ministry, since the beginning of the fourth Covid-19 wave, the national anti-Covid steering committee has regulated that Covid-19 tests on patients holding health insurance cards and undergoing medical checkup and treatment at public healthcare facilities should be conducted in line with the Vietnam Social Security’s instructions in its document 1126/BHXH dated April 29. Accordingly, the funds for Covid-19 tests would be sourced from the anti-Covid fund. Thus, patients will not have to pay any fees if they are asked to undergo Covid-19 tests. The Ministry of Health asked the Departments of Health of cities and provinces to enhance inspections into healthcare facilities’ compliance with the regulations on service prices, especially the Covid-19 testing service prices at private clinics. Violations must be strictly handled to prevent the improper rise of medical service prices, especially Covid-19 testing services. The Departments of Health can propose the provincial and municipal governments direct inspections into and the handling of violations if needed. In some localities, patients have been forced to undergo Covid-19 tests before entering hospitals for a medical checkup and treatment or to take care of their relatives. However, the high testing service prices and frequency of tests have caused multiple difficulties for residents.