The government has fixed a price for items related to Covid treatment. Accordingly, the PPE kit is priced at Rs 273. There were private hospitals that charged Rs 1500 and more for the same kit. It has been going on for the last one year. The government has fixed Rs 22 for the N95 mask. Most medical stores used to charge Rs 90 so far. The government had recently fixed the rate for the Covid test as well. Private hospital vendors, who have been have seen the epidemic as Chakara, have been charging up to four times the current government rate. The media and socially responsible individuals have repeatedly pointed out that there is a lot of exploitation in private practice under Covid cover. It is welcome that the government has set a maximum price for medical items under the Essential Goods Control Act, albeit belatedly.

It should have been a little earlier. Penalties for violating the law include revocation of the license and a fine of up to ten times the price. Declaration alone does not make everything right. The government should not take the position that it will intervene only when a complaint is received. A system should be set up to check whether anyone is charging more than the price fixed by the government. A special squad of members of the Health and Home Department should be formed for this purpose. This is because many people approach private hospitals out of their own free will and are not willing to complain. Some people are willing to file a complaint only in very extraordinary circumstances. In addition, help desks for receiving complaints should be set up under the government, otherwise the mafia, which is accustomed to charging exorbitant prices, will not be able to stop itself.

There is also a need to change the current policy of going to vaccination centers and getting vaccinated. Mobile clinics can reach out to the masses and conduct special drives so that as many people as possible can be vaccinated as quickly as possible. The people's representatives and voluntary organizations can help the government a lot in this regard. Thus if early decisions are taken in matters that need early decision, it will be a big relief for people.