Healthcare is a basic right, yet lakhs of people in Assam are struggling to afford something as essential as pathological tests. Today, most private diagnostic centres and laboratories across Assam - charge exorbitant fees for routine and specialized tests. These inflated rates directly burden middle-class families, salaried individuals, and economically weaker sections, who are forced to spend a large part of their income on medical investigations.

Government hospitals such as GMCH and AIIMS, Guwahati offer these tests at very reasonable and subsidized rates. However, because of limited infrastructure, long waiting times, and capacity constraints, not everyone can access these services. This leaves patients with no option but to turn to private labs where prices are often several times higher than in government institutions.

This situation is unjust. Healthcare should not be a privilege for the wealthy, it must remain accessible and affordable for all.

That is why we are urging the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, to kindly intervene and introduce a legislative regulatory framework to standardize and cap the charges for pathological and diagnostic tests in private laboratories. Aligning these rates with those of government hospitals will bring immense relief to common people and ensure that no one is denied essential healthcare because of high costs.

Affordable healthcare is a cornerstone of a just and compassionate society. With strong leadership and timely action, Assam can set an example for the rest of the country by making diagnostic services fair and accessible to every citizen.

To,


Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma,

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam

Dispur, Guwahati – 781006

Subject : Request for Regulation of Pathological Rates in Private Laboratories in Assam

Respected Sir,

At the outset, we thank you for the opportunity to draw your kind attention to the urgent need for regulation of pathological test rates in Assam.

At present, most private diagnostic centres and laboratories charge excessively high prices for routine as well as specialized tests. This steep cost directly affects the middle-class, salaried individuals, and economically weaker sections of our society, who are compelled to spend a major share of their earnings on essential medical investigations.

In contrast, government hospitals such as Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH) and AIIMS Guwahati provide these same tests at highly subsidized and reasonable rates. However, due to limited capacity and infrastructure, not all patients can access these facilities, forcing them to depend on private labs and bear the financial burden.

In this regard, we humbly request your esteemed office to kindly:

🔷Introduce a legislation or regulatory framework to control and standardize the pricing of pathological and diagnostic tests in private laboratories across Assam, especially Guwahati.

🔷Align private laboratory rates with the reasonable charges followed in government hospitals like GMCH and AIIMS.

🔷Ensure strict monitoring and enforcement so that private centres adhere to the notified rates, thereby preventing exploitation of patients.

Such a measure will provide immense relief to the common people and uphold the spirit of affordable healthcare for all. It will also reflect the Government of Assam’s continued commitment to social justice and equitable public health services.

We sincerely hope that under your visionary leadership, this long-pending concern of the people of Assam will be addressed at the earliest.

With highest regards,

Yours faithfully,

Shri Rupam Goswami
Chairman, Assam Chamber of Commerce