Ministry of Health officials today addressed allegations that at least one private clinic in Antigua is offering COVID-19 testing to members of the public for $1,000 per test.
It is further alleged that the doctor in question is charging an additional $5,000 to see patients if they are suspected of having the virus.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Rhonda Sealey-Thomas said there is only one authorized testing centre in Antigua.
“DNA PCR, which is the recommended testing for COVID-19, at this point in time, is only available at the Caribbean Public Health Agency in Trinidad, through the public health laboratory at the Mount St John’s Medical Centre,” Sealey-Thomas said at a news conference today.
“I just want to caution the general public, again the recommended test right now for COVID-19 is DNA PCR.”
She said the Ministry of Health, along with Mount St. John, are working assiduously to have DNA PCR test at the MSJMC free of cost.
“We are going through very severe economic times right now and I want to warn the public that there is no test right now available in the private sector that can tell you that you definitely have COVID-19,” Sealey Thomas.
The CMO said if the allegations are true, the doctor would more than likely be using an antibody test.
“It may tell you that you’ve had a coronavirus infection in the past. It doesn’t tell you that you have immunity against COVID-19 and it doesn’t tell you necessarily that you have COVID-19 at this point in time,” Sealey-Thomas said.
“So people need to be very careful with their scarce resources at time point in time.”
AG will be asked to investigate
Meanwhile, Health Minister Molwyn Joseph says as a government, they have a responsibility to protect the public, and he will be bringing the matter to the attention of the Attorney General.
“I am going to be asking the Attorney General to look in our laws to see what provision we have in any law in Antigua and Barbuda to protect the public,” Joseph said.
“Because if there is a test that is not considered to be scientifically proven in terms of its effectiveness, I don’t think it’s acceptable that doctors, and this is only an allegation, to provide that test to the public
“This is a very serious development as far as I’m concerned because you could have a situation where an individual is told you are COVID-free and then that individual takes on a different kind of lifestyle. That individual might not practise social distancing.
“Someone getting a false result could go and transfer that disease to many members of the family so this is a very serious development,” Joseph added.
10 responses to “UPDATED: Public alerted to doctor charging $6K to see suspected COVID-19 patients”
Sounds like a csse which occured over at an Island Resort. US$5,000.00 for the test and US$500.00 for a telephone consultation. Allegedly the test was done by MSJC EMT so there would not been a charge. We need T.L. to investigate.
Publish the name of the Doctor
Sadique Armstrong see I called it 😆🤣🤣🤣🤣
So i guess hes only seeing the rich and famous
Why does the name need to be published? If there’s a whole government facility offering the service free of charge and a person chooses to go to a doctor and accept that sort of charge, then there isn’t a problem.
There’s no need for all this melee. It’s either that the government is going to stop the doctor or people will just need to make wise medical service choices. Maybe a blend of both would be good. But let’s not behave as if this doctor is out there forcing anybody to do what they don’t want to do. Only the foolish or wealthy will be affected.
Is it $6000 to SEE the patient or TREAT the patient? As if it is $6000 total to see and treat then the article would be VERY misleading. This distinction should be clarified to remove hysteria. Additionally, if this is to see, test and treat, medical Management for treatment of Covid-19 would be COMPREHENSIVE. Therefore would probably require non-marginal costs in attempts to have the best possible outcome for the patient.
Additional point to consider is the actual testing cost of $1000 EC.
If there is a private doctor that had the presence of mind to acquire testing kits prior to the government, during a Global Pandemic, it was probably at a significant cost. As we have seen with the current “supply and demand” with ventilators, there have been increased pricing structures to meet the demand. If this information is true, It is very unfortunate that the individual doctors were incentivized to secure the testing kits before the government. However, it may demonstrate that the doctor is wise for having a robust awareness about the potential need for the wellbeing of the people.
Well put together Mandy. Our Caribbean Public are very in hastily responding to any thing said without ‘digging a bit deeper.’
Meant to say….‘Caribbean Public very hastily…’
This is pure rubbish
Wow really ridiculous