Doctors' Association Fear Lowered PCR Tariff Cap Will Affect Testing Quality

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government’s plan to broaden the PCR test mandate outside of air travel grabbed the attention of the Indonesian Association of Clinical and Laboratory Pathology Specialists (PDS Patklin) which fears that the government’s attempt to reduce PCR upper tariff will affect the quality.

PDS Patklin chairperson Aryati on Wednesday said to Tempo; “Instead of sacrificing the quality and safety it would be better not to utilize the PCR test.” She argues that it would be better for the government to impose stricter health protocols for public transportations if they intend to ensure the health of travelers. 

Aryati added that lowering the PCR test tariff will limit the availability of this type of Covid-19 testing in the market. She said the price point will not be viable for a service provider to establish a PCR test with a closed system that minimizes contamination. 

She said the current upper tariff for PCR tests set by the government at Rp495,000 barely covers the cost to offer good quality testing and claims the cost for one PCR cartridge can reach Rp550,000 alone, excluding the cost to pay for the healthcare workers and electricity bill to run a facility. 

PCR test cost caps started from Rp900,000 and then lowered to Rp495,000 and is maxed at Rp475,000 for the islands of Java - Bali. After a public outcry for this type of test was mandated in air travel, the government decided to further suppress the tariff to around Rp300,000. 

Aryani regrets that discussion about reducing the tariff ceiling of PCR tests did not involve stakeholders in the medical industry such as PDS PatKLIn, ILKI, Gakeslab, and PERSI.

Read: Health Ministry Bans COVID-19 PCR Tests on Hourly Basis Service

CAESAR AKBAR