The Ministry of Health has decided to reduce the fee for testing samples of those infected with the global pandemic coronavirus. The corona sample test fee for hospital visitors has been reduced from Tk 200 to Tk 100. The examination fee has been reduced from Tk 500 to Tk 300 by collecting corona samples at home.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the health ministry at the secretariat on Wednesday (August 19th) morning. After the meeting, Health Minister Zahid Malek told reporters.

The government has been conducting free corona testing in the country since the corona infection. In a circular issued on June 26, the government said it would have to pay Rs 200 for collecting samples from booths for coronavirus testing and Rs 200 for hospitalized patients and Rs 500 for collecting samples from home.

Officials said at the time that the free test was being abused in many cases. However, health analysts at the time feared that this would discourage many from taking the test, even if they had symptoms.

The number of coronavirus tests in the country has decreased in the last few days. The Department of Health's briefing also called for an examination if there were any symptoms. However, experts blame the extra fee for the drop in sample testing. Therefore, the government decided to reduce the fee.

However, the examination fee in the private hospital is the same as before. And privately collecting samples from home will cost four and a half thousand rupees for the test.