Sameer Ahmad
Anantnag: The unethical billing and exorbitant pricing at private diagnostic centers in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district are a heavy burden on patients. These unregulated labs are charging excessive fees for routine tests, often leaving people in financial distress.”
The patients are increasingly finding themselves caught in a web of “loot” culture here in District Anantnag, where the tests can cost three to five times more depending on which clinic they walk into.
According to sources, in south kashmir Anantnag district there is a huge price gap in private diagnostic labs, Patients often find themselves paying a “luxury tax” for air-conditioned waiting rooms and fancy brochures, while the actual chemical analysis remains the same.
Abdul Rasheed a resident of Banihal while talking to the Nationvoice101 said that I went to three different labs in Anantnag for a basic CBC KFT and LFT,” he said “One Diagonastic lab asked me to pay for these tests of Rs 1200, another Rs 900, and the premium center asked for Rs 600. It feels like they aren’t treating patients; they’re hunting for customers.” He said
Many labs have shifted to selling “Executive Health Packages.” While these appear to be discounted bundles, Official sources said that they often include unnecessary tests. This “over-testing” not only inflates the bill but can lead to false positives, triggering a cycle of expensive follow-up consultations and further “looting” of the patient’s savings. The concern deparment are in deep slumber and have never inspected of the diagnostic labs in Anantnag district. Sources said.
Researcher Rao Farman Ali has raised a red flag over the absence of regulated pricing for diagnostic tests in Jammu and Kashmir, describing the current situation as a “grave governance issue” that disproportionately impacts the socio-economically disadvantaged.
Ali argued that when authorities fail to define and enforce fixed rates for medical tests, it creates a vacuum that allows for the exploitation of patients. He noted that many individuals seeking healthcare are already under significant financial strain, and unregulated lab fees serve to further “empty the pockets” of the poor. He said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Khalid Parveez, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Anantnag, while talking to Nationvoice101 said that the private diagnostic labs must strictly adhere to government-approved rates. Emphasizing that patient exploitation during medical emergencies will not be tolerated, Dr. Parveez warned that any laboratory found overcharging the public under the pretext of “high-end services” will face immediate disciplinary action. He said.
