The social media platforms have been boomed with the release from the ministry of health on the cost for conducting the COVID-19 test in our public facilities.
In the release, all walk-in tests except for travelers are to be free. This is a reiteration of what already exists. The cost to test for COVD-19 in our public facilities has always been borne by the government.
What people might be thinking of is that, as directed in the release, one can just walk into any clinical laboratory and request for a COVID-19 test to be done. As much as that is the case, you cannot do this without going through the surveillance and case management teams in our various areas of operations.
You do not pay for any COVID-19 test that will be carried out on you. Currently, what is required is to first contact and see the health team to be given the tracking number to enable the system to follow up when the result is ready. Especially when positive cases are to be managed and contacts of those cases traced.
When one is not feeling well and wants to test for COVID-19,
- Walk to any of the health facilities
- See a health worker who will refer you to the appropriate COVID-19 response team.
- You will be taken through a screening process and when necessary be given an identity for covid-19 testing
- Samples will be collected appropriately
- You will be informed of when to come for results or be contacted when it is ready.
All these processes have been free of charge and the MoH has reiterated that position of cost.
What is not clear in the release is whether anyone can walk to the health facility as ask for the COVID-19 test to be done at will even without signs and symptoms?
very appropriate post