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Will citizens pay Rs 6,00, as international travellers were charged, or Rs 2,200 as per current rates? Or will govt bear the cost?
BENGALURU:
Under tremendous pressure, the civic agency is gearing to conduct around 10,000 random tests per day in Bengaluru city. But who is going to bear the cost is yet to be known.
Top health sources told theBengalurulive that currently the state government is conducting around 16,000 tests in Karnataka, including 6,000 in Bengaluru.
“Directions have been received to increase it to 10,000 per day. But no directions have been issued on collecting testing costs. There is no clarity,” said an officer on the condition of anonymity.
Mobile labs or BBMP health centres?
As per the plan, BBMP has been asked to conduct these tests through mobile labs covering all 198 wards in the city.
These mobile vans will have to prioritise swab collection from vegetable vendors, other hawkers and home delivery boys as they are more prone to infection.
However, BBMP’s health team is unsure whether to conduct tests through mobile testing vans or to make use of BBMP’s fever clinics or health centres — where people can be asked to walk in — for those with symptoms like cold, cough and fever.
Ex-CM’s allegation
The state government is already under tremendous pressure from the opposition, especially after former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleged corruption in procuring Covid-related materials at high prices. Siddaramaiah had also demanded free tests for all citizens.
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