Tough measures to check fleecing of patients at labs Updated: Updated: Call to ramp up COVID testing at designated centres Share Article Call to ramp up COVID testing at designated centres The district health authorities have scaled up surveillance to curb alleged malpractices, including overcharging of patients by some errant private healthcare providers, amid the second wave of the pandemic. The district administration has already appointed a special officer to monitor the functioning of private hospitals notified as COVID care centres and ensure their strict compliance with the stipulated norms governing the treatment tariff. Acting on a specific complaint, a team of health officials led by special officer Dr. Sujatha raided a private laboratory on Thursday. The officials found the organisers of the lab conducting COVID-19 tests without valid permission and subsequently sealed the lab, sources added.