Jaffna Venus Speciality Hospital has been fined Rs. 3 million (03 million) for charging more than the government-set price for a blood test. The decision was made in a case filed by the Consumer Affairs Authority before the Jaffna Magistrate's Court when the case was taken up on July 21.
The Magistrate imposed the fine after the defendant hospital management admitted the relevant offence. In addition to the fine, the defendant private hospital has also been ordered to publish a public notice in leading newspapers at the expense of the defendant private hospital regarding the offence committed.
According to the legal regulations imposed by the Consumer Affairs Authority, the maximum fee that can be charged by private sector laboratories or hospitals for an FBC test is Rs. 400/-. However, Venus Speciality Hospital (Pvt) Ltd, located on Palaly Road, Kandharmadam, Jaffna, has been charging customers Rs. 550/- for an FBC test.