Difference in Cost of Testing for Dengue Fever at CHAS Clinics, Polyclinics and Private Clinics

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the cost of testing for dengue fever; and (b) whether there is any difference in the cost, before subsidy, of dengue fever tests at CHAS clinics, polyclinics or private clinics.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Typically, a blood test is used to determine whether a patient is infected with dengue fever.

Before Government subsidy, a dengue blood test could cost about $70 to $80 at a General Practitioner (GP) clinic, and about $50 to $60 at a polyclinic. The cost may vary for a range of reasons, including the type of test used, operating costs of the clinic and the fees of the laboratory used.