Patiala, May 25 -- The Punjab government has decided to offer free dengue tests at all 882 Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state.

"Dengue (NSI ELISA) testing has been initiated at all the Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) across Punjab through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode in collaboration with Path Care Labs," reads the letter issued by Punjab health department director.

Private labs charge anywhere between Rs.1,000- Rs.1,500 for the dengue tests.

Before this decision, ELISA-based dengue tests were conducted at only district and civil hospitals. Consequently, patients were compelled to visit private labs for dengue testing.

In the wake of intermittent rain over the past few days, health officials were on alert. They said that the pre...