From 20 to 200 euros, private labs continue to run tests for COVID-19

Tests for the COVIID-19 virus are continuing to be conducted at the Mastic Microbiology Laboratory at the National Institute of Public Health in Kosovo, as well as in several private labs, in different Kosovo municipalities.

IKSHPK testing is being done with RT- PCR, while in private labs most of these tests are being conducted serologically.

Recently, a citizen has reportedly paid 200 euros for a test for COVID-19, at one of the labs in Pristina. After that, the Health Ministry has declared it is not responsible for prices in these labs and that monitoring these awards makes the Kosovo Competition Authority Kosovo.

From the Kosovar Competition Authority, they are already monitoring the conduct of private labs offering tests for COVID-19.

“Sic has been notified at two media conferences held over the past few weeks, the Kosovo Competition Authority is monitoring the behavior of labs licensed by the Health Ministry for offering tests for SARS-Cov-2 virus. That means we're collecting data from labs as well as state institutions. In this context, during this time, we have enjoyed good co-operation with the labs who have provided data on the AKK. So we're continuing to monitor prices that are offered by licensed labs”, says the AKK's response to Telegraph.

The AKK says they have accepted complaints about the laboratory that tests for COVID-19 cost 200 euros, and that records from the laboratory have been provided.

“As far as complaints from citizens have come mainly after reporting that a laboratory is offering the 200 euro price service, the AKK has immediately requested and provided data from the laboratory in question, and once the analysis on this issue is complete, we will inform”.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has so far licensed 96 private labs in most municipalities in Kosovo.

THESE you can find lists of private labs licensed for test delivery for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Health Inspectorate has started with the inspection of these institutions that were allowed to conduct tests, to inspect their readiness to conduct tests and verify the data presented by these institutions in the case of applying and giving the Declaration under oath for the conditions met for conducting tests under the 0120202020 Administration Guide for completing and changing 092014 Administrative Guide. The working conditions for space, professional framework and medical equipment of private health institutions abroad and 02/202020 for completion and changing administrative instruction 06/2015 General and Special Hospital Conditions.

Otherwise, active cases with COVID-19, in Kosovo still stand at 3 000 and 251.