Abstract
As governments struggle with ramping up testing for COVID-19 during this pandemic, engagement of the private health sector may be an opportunity to expand testing services, but also poses cost barriers to patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We conducted a survey among LMIC contacts to investigate the availability and cost of private sector SARS-CoV-2 PCR and serological testing. Thirty responses from 15 different countries were received. Our findings indicate high patient costs forSARS-CoV-2 testing in the private sector, limited reimbursement mechanisms for private sector testing, as well as challenges with cost regulation and effective engagement of the private sector in the COVID-19 response.听
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