A private hospital in Jaffna has been fined Rs. 3 million after admitting to overcharging patients for Full Blood Count (FBC) blood tests above the government-controlled price.
The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said Venus Speciality Hospital (Pvt) Ltd, located in Kandarmadam on Palaly Road, had charged Rs. 550 for an FBC test despite the maximum permitted charge being Rs. 400.
The violation was detected during a special inspection carried out by CAA officers on July 13.
The CAA subsequently filed legal action in the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court. When the case was taken up on July 21, the hospital pleaded guilty to the offence.
The court imposed a fine of Rs. 3 million and also ordered the hospital to publish notices regarding the offence in national newspapers at its own expense.
The CAA reminded the public to check government-controlled prices when obtaining services from private hospitals and laboratories, always request an official receipt, and report any overcharging to its 1977 hotline.(Newswire)