HYDERABAD: In a key decision to combat coronavirus effectively, the Telangana government has recently permitted private laboratories to conduct COVID-19 tests with the aim of increasing the frequency of sample testing in the state. As part of this, the private hospitals were also allowed to treat COVID-19 cases.The state government has fixed the cost of a basic COVID-19 test at Rs. 2,200.

The state government had issued guidelines to the laboratories that they should not test asymptomatic persons. Health Minister Etela Rajender said that all laboratories and hospitals have been instructed by the authorities to perform tests only on those who have COVID-19 symptoms.

There are 18 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-approved private testing laboratories, which will now be eligible for conducting the COVID-19 tests in Telangana.

List of Private COVID-19 Testing laboratories

Apollo Health and Lifestyle, Bowenpally
Vijaya Diagnostics. Himayathnagar
Laboratory Services, Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills
Map My Genome India, Madhapur
Cell Correct Diagnostics, Virinchi Hospitals, Banjara Hills
RVM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Siddipet
KIMS, Secunderabad
Pathcare Labs, Medchal
Lucid Medical Diagnostics Vasavi Nagar, Karkhana, Secunderabad
Yashoda Hospital, Secunderabad
Vimta Labs, IDA Cherlapally
Dr Remedies Labs, Punjagutta
LEPRA Society-Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre, Cherlapally
Medcis Pathlabs India New Bowenpally
American Institute of Pathology and Lab Sciences Pvt Ltd, Citizens Hospital, Serilingampally
Biognosys Technologies (India), Medchal, Malkajgiri
AIG Hospitals, Gachibowli
Tenet Diagnostics, Banjara Hills