LAHORE: The Punjab government says increase and introduction of fees for various medical tests for indoor patients in all state-run health facilities across the province will improve standards at hospital laboratories.

According to Dr Shahbaz Gill, a spokesperson for the chief minister, the increase is meagre considering rates at official labs are much lower than those in the private sector.

He also clarifies that deserving patients may still enjoy free of cost test facilities by applying for Zakat funds whereas the government is also distributing health cards among 35 million poor people of the province to help them get certain free health facilities.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2019