A doctor uses the Realtime PCR technique at Nghệ An Province Hospital of Oncology. — VNA/VNS Photo Tá Chuyên

HÀ NỘI — Private medical facilities will be allowed to administer COVID-19 tests according to a Government decision issued on Thursday.

The decision follows a request made by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance early in April to allow private medical facilities to perform laboratory tests for COVID-19.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc asked the two ministries to collaborate with related agencies to develop a plan on ordering private medical facilities to provide testing services.

Thanks to the rising number of test labs, people can take COVID-19 tests on demand without increasing pressure on the State budget, according to the health ministry.

FV Hospital is the first private hospital in HCM City offering the coronavirus testing service at VNĐ3 million (US$129) per test.

The Government and health ministry have given free COVID-19 tests for people who have come from disease-hit areas, been in contact with infected patients or suspected infected cases, or who displayed symptoms.

The health ministry has received 200,000 quick test kits imported from South Korea which would be used to screen people who are in quarantine camps, in contact with Bạch Mai Hospital cluster or home-isolating, Deputy Minister Nguyễn Thanh Long said. The ministry also has 200,000 Realtime PCR test kits to be used for confirmatory tests.