Punjab Government has introduced free treatment and testing of Hepatitis B. The screening tests for the same will be conducted in all the state Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals, District Hospitals, Sub-Divisional Hospitals, Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) and Oral Substitution Therapy (OST) centres.
“In addition, Hepatitis B viral load testing facility will be extended at 27 centres, free of cost for the well being of marginalized sections,” said the state Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu while presiding over the statewide launch of the initiative at District Hospital Mohali.
The State Health Department has entered into a rate contract with Oncquest Laboratories under which they have provided a laboratory technician at every District Hospital and Government Medical College.
Hepatitis B samples will be taken at these institutions from the patient free of cost, while the cost of the test will be reimbursed to the lab at the rate of Rs 851 by the State Government.
“The line of treatment for Hepatitis B is extensive and expensive but the State Government will give free medicine to the concerned. Even the Hepatitis B positive Punjab patients, under treatment in PGI, will be provided medicine free of cost,” said the Minister adding that a nodal officer has been deputed at PGI for the same and has been handed over stock of requisite medicines.
