The Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court has imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on private hospital for charging above the maximum approved fee for Full Blood Count (FBC) blood tests.
The legal action was filed by the Vavuniya District Investigation Officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) under Direction No. 67 issued in terms of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act.
According to the CAA, a special inspection carried out on July 14 found that the private hospital, located on Hospital Road in Vavuniya, had charged Rs. 550 for an FBC blood test, exceeding the government-prescribed maximum fee of Rs. 400.
The case was taken up before the Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court on July 28, where the court, after considering the facts presented, imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on the hospital.
The CAA has urged consumers to report private hospitals or medical laboratories charging fees above the prescribed maximum rates by contacting its 1977 hotline during office hours. (Newswire/AI Image)