Make PCR tests in Oman more affordable, says Shura Council

Muscat: The costs of PCR tests in some private health centres must be made more affordable, the Shura Council has said, criticizing the high amounts some people need to pay to get tested for COVID-19.

The suggestion came during a meeting of the council’s Health and Environment Committee, as part of being thoroughly prepared to deal with the spread of the Omicron variant.

The cost of a test can vary wildly in clinics, with prices ranging from a more affordable OMR 8, to a rather pricey OMR 20.

The committee added that healthcare providers must not increase the prices of tests, and that the organisations concerned need to monitor the prices of the same.

The above statements were made during the regular meeting of the committee for the third annual convening for the year 2021-22 of the ninth term, chaired by Hilal bin Hamad Al Sarmi, chairman of the committee, in the presence of the committee members.