KARACHI: Despite the Sindh Healthcare Commission’s (SHCC) recent announcement of slashing fees of dengue, malaria and complete blood count (CBC) tests to make healthcare affordable for citizens, many private diagnostic laboratories are still charging patients their “own rates”.

Keeping in view the alarming surge in dengue and malaria cases in the province, the SHCC issued a notification on Oct 21, directing all private diagnostic laboratories in Sindh to lower the fees for dengue and malaria-related tests till Dec 31, 2025.

It said that the maximum rates of malaria ICT (Immunochroma­tographic Test) were reduced from Rs3,050 to Rs600, the dengue NS1 (non-structural protein 1) antigen test from Rs4,550 to Rs1,100, the dengue IgM/combo test from Rs4,150 to Rs1,500, and the CBC with smear test (including follow-up CBCs for dengue patients) from Rs1,250 to Rs500.

In a media release, the commission had claimed that major diagnostic facilities, including the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Clinical Laboratories, Chughtai Lab and Dr Essa Laboratory and Diagnostic Centre, Tabba Heart Institute and other laboratories, had agreed to implement the revised rates.

Healthcare commission sets maximum fees for various clinical tests in view of outbreak; AKUH, LNH implement revised charges

It is true that labs of the Aga Khan University Hospital and Liaquat National Hospital (LNH) have implemented the new rates, but a survey conducted by Dawn revealed that several laboratories continue to charge more than the approved rates.

Private diagnostic laboratories in Karachi generally fall into four categories — those catering to corporate clients; hospital-based labs operating within private facilities; those affiliated with hospitals but maintaining collection points across the city; and independent diagnostic laboratories that operate citywide without hospital affiliation.

Chughtai Lab, Dr Essa Lab and Tabba Heart Institute, which agreed to comply with the SHCC’s directives, are implementing the revised rates only partially, the survey showed.

Chughtai Lab has adopted the new rates for the malaria ICT and dengue NS1 tests, but continues to charge Rs800 for a CBC and Rs6,000 for a dengue IgM (anti-body), well above the prescribed limits.

Similarly, Dr Essa Lab is charging Rs720 for a CBC, compared to the SHCC’s capped rate of Rs500, though the remaining three tests follow the official rates.

Likewise, Tabba Heart Institute is charging Rs1,010 for a CBC test instead of Rs500.

Laboratories run by charitable health organisations, including Hussaini Diagnostic & Pathology and Al-Khidmat Hospital Lab, are charging either equal to or lower than the SHCC’s revised rates.

By contrast, Dow Lab, a public/government-affiliated entity, is charging Rs580 for a CBC and Rs810 for a malaria ICT, both exceeding the maximum rates set by the SHCC.

Several private hospitals’ in-house laboratories are also reportedly ignoring the revised rates.

According to sources, some private hospitals have “their own pricing” and they do not follow the SHCC’s notification, while others say they are “considering the implementation” but have not yet made any changes.

Patients left burdened

For patients in low-income localities, the revised prices have offered little relief.

With dengue cases continuing to surge in Karachi, many families say they still cannot afford the diagnostic tests, which collectively cost around Rs4,000, while their daily income averages only Rs1,000 to Rs1,500.

Sadia, a mother of two from New Karachi, said she was asked to pay Rs3,100 for dengue and CBC tests.

“I cannot afford this. It’s almost equal to my husband’s weekly earnings. I heard the government had reduced the rates, but what’s the use of such a reduction if we still can’t afford the tests?” she asked.

A patient at a trust hospital in North Nazimabad shared a similar experience.

“I was advised to undergo a CBC, MP ICT and dengue tests. The lab staff demanded Rs6,660. When I mentioned the SHCC’s reduced rates, they refused and said the hospital had its own prices,” he said, adding that he could not visit another laboratory as he was already unwell.

Response from SHCC

Talking to Dawn, SHCC Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahsan Qavi said that in view of the rising cases of dengue and malaria, the commission, in coordination with private diagnostic laboratories, had decided to reduce the rates of these tests.

He explained that the reduced rates would only be applicable if a patient visited the laboratory with a doctor’s prescription.

Dr Qavi said that the notification issued by the commission was being implemented.

He added that a compliance letter had also been sent to private hospitals’ in-house laboratories, directing them to follow the revised rates issued by the SHCC.

He further stated that if any private laboratory is found not following the SHCC’s revised rates even after a patient have a valid prescription from a medical practitioner and a complaint is received, the commission will take action accordingly.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2025