Covid-19 test prices in Vinh City differ by nearly double

After the Lunar New Year of the Tiger, the number of Covid-19 positive cases in Nghe An increased dramatically. In recent days, the number of Covid-19 infections has tended to decrease, but is still at a high level. Specifically, on the morning of February 16, 2022, the Nghe An Center for Disease Control informed: In the past 12 hours (from 6:00 p.m. on February 15, 2022 to 6:00 a.m. on February 16, 2022),Nghe Annoted1,188 new positive caseswith Covid-19.

Faced with the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic, Nghe An people in general, and Vinh city people in particular, have a very high demand for Covid-19 testing. The number of people coming to get tested for Covid-19 to return to work, people testing to go to work, and many people with symptoms of cough and fever who want to get tested for Covid-19 prevention at medical facilities in wards, communes, medical facilities, hospitals... is always increasing. However, through feedback and actual research, we found that the price of Covid-19 testing in different places is quite different.

The Covid-19 test receipt at Quan Bau Ward Health Station does not show the price. Photo:An Phu

Mr. T.D.D in Quan Bau Ward, Vinh City said that recently, he had a fever and went to Quan Bau Ward Health Station to get a rapid Covid-19 test twice, the test price was 90,000 VND each time. Ms. NTT - another citizen in Quan Bau Ward also said that she got tested for Covid-19 at Quan Bau Ward Health Station for 90,000 VND/time.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Tang Xuan Hai - Director of Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital said: Currently, the hospital is testing Covid-19 for free for patients being treated at the hospital. The price of a single sample rapid Covid-19 test ranges from 60,000 - 70,000 VND/person and the price of a single sample PCR test is 518,000 VND/person, the price depends on the price of imported goods of the companies at different times, Mr. Hai added.

Research at Nghe An 115 General Hospital found out: The price for a single rapid test is 69,000 VND/person; the price for a combined test of 3 people into 1 sample is 75,000 VND (25,000 VND/person).

Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Hong Quan, residing in Nghi An commune, Vinh city, said: Mr. Quan performed a rapid Covid-19 test at Vinh City General Hospital for 60,000 VND/person (application form).

The price of rapid Covid-19 test in Vinh City ranges from 60,000 - 110,000 VND/person. Photo: An Phu

Talking to us, the media representative of Vinh General Hospital said: Currently, the hospital collects Covid-19 test fees according to the price of the Ministry of Health. Accordingly, Vinh General Hospital is doing rapid testing of single samples at the hospital at 60,000 VND/person (not doing pooled tests); PCR of single samples taken at the hospital is 518,000 VND/person; PCR of pooled samples of no more than 10 people is 110,000 VND/person.

In addition, Vinh City General Hospital also offers Covid-19 testing services at home, with an additional charge of VND50,000 per case. For rapid testing, 10 or more people must come to collect samples; for single sample PCR, 3 or more people must come; and for pooled sample PCR, 10 or more people must come to collect samples. Currently, Vinh City General Hospital provides testing services for about 150-200 people per day.

At Cua Dong General Hospital, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tai - Deputy Director of this hospital said: Currently, Cua Dong General Hospital performs Covid-19 testing with individual test prices of 110,000 VND/person; pooled sample of 2 people is 55,000 VND/person; pooled sample of 3-5 people is 35,000 VND/person. Regarding PCR antigen testing, the single sample is 518,000 VND/person; pooled sample of 2 people is 270,000 VND/person; pooled sample of 3 people is 210,000 VND/person; pooled sample of 4 people is 180,000 VND/person; pooled sample of 5 people is 164,000 VND/person and pooled sample of 10 people is 110,000 VND/person.

The number of people coming to get tested for Covid-19 at Cua Dong General Hospital is quite large. Photo: An Phu

According to Mr. Tai, every day Cua Dong General Hospital performs Covid-19 testing services for about 300-500 people, with peak days when nearly 100 people tested positive for Covid-19.

Currently, according to the reporter's investigation, many facilities and agents selling pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in Vinh City are selling many Covid-19 rapid test kits, with different prices. Among them, the cheapest rapid test using the nasal swab method is 60,000 VND/kit, besides there are also other kits priced at 70,000 VND or over 80,000 VND, depending on the origin and different testing methods.

Thus, through the information reflected and the actual investigation of reporters about the current situation of Covid-19 test fees at hospitals and medical facilities in Vinh City, the price difference is reasonable. According to the explanation of hospitals and medical facilities, the reason for the difference in test prices in each place depends on the price of imported medical biological products of each manufacturer and the different import times.