Private hospitals rap 21pc GST on diagnostic kits

KARACHI: Private Hospitals and Clinics Association (PH&CA) president and former provincial health mnister Dr. Syed Junaid Ali Shah, has strongly criticized the imposition of a 21pc GST on diagnostic kits, labeling it a harsh measure. 
Thanking the government for retracting taxes on items listed under serial number 112 of VI Schedule, he urged similar action for serial number 120, which includes diagnostic kits.
Dr. Shah made these remarks during an emergency meeting of PH&CA, saying that the increased prices of medicines and diagnostic tests post-tax implementation could lead to fatal consequences for patients. He pointed out that diagnostic kits now attract an 18pc GST with an additional 3pc, totaling 21pc.
PH&CA Secretary General Dr. Farhan Essa also condemned the government's decision, saying the rise in test costs for ailments like hepatitis, dengue, and blood screening would escalate overall healthcare expenses, impacting both private and public hospitals. 
He said this move could burden patients significantly, even affecting global health initiatives such as the WHO's program to combat hepatitis in Pakistan.
At the conclusion of the PH&CA meeting, the participants demanded the immediate withdrawal of the GST implementation decision. They included Joint Secretary Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, Vice President Dr. Bilal Faiz Khan, Treasurer Naeem Asghar, Masood Ahmed, Coordinator Nusrat Fahim, Prof. Yasir M Khan, Muhammad Rafiq, Syed Shahid Raza, Dr. Nauman Palikat, Hamza Chisti, Barrister Zeeshan Naeem, Salman Ahmed, Sher Muhammad Khan, Adil Naeem, Dr. Tahir Yusuf, Humair Noor, Qamar Memon, Dr. S.M. Qaiser Sajjad, and Dr. Imran Ali Shah.