Private hospitals to get permission for PCR test only after allotting 20% of beds for COVID-19

Kathmandu, Aug 26- Private hospitals that have allotted 20 percent of beds for COVID-19 patients will get permission for conducting PCR tests.

The National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Teku issuing a statement on Wednesday has said only private hospitals allotting 20 percent of beds and medical colleges allocating one-third of beds for COVID-19 patients will be given permission to conduct PCR tests.

The government earlier had warned of revoking permission of conducting PCR tests of those private hospitals that do not allot 20 percent of beds for COVID-19 patients.

The Health Emergency Operation Center at the ministry issuing a statement August 14 had appealed to the private hospitals to keep 20 percent of beds for COVID-19 management citing lack of hospital beds with cases rising in recent times. The designated COVID-19 hospitals have been stretched due to the surging cases in recent times.

But private hospitals said they cannot allot 20 percent of beds stating that the government decision is not practical and treating the COVID-19 and other patients together in a single hospital will increase risks.

The government currently allows Star, Mediciti, HAMS and KMC hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley to conduct PCR Tests.