Aren’t Covid-19 tests supposed to be free?

IF the letter yesterday by ‘Mama Blo Pikinini’ about the high cost of Covid-19 test is true then it is totally unbelievable.
How can this important test be charged for when all other countries are testing their citizens for free?
This is a health emergency and cannot be used by the Government agencies and private hospitals to make profit out of it.
If the Government wants to protect its people, then all tests relating to preventing the spread of the Covid -19 should be free.
Parents are already in a very difficult situation to pay for school fees and such exorbitant charges for tests is a killer for many struggling parents.

Papa Blong Pikinini,
Waigani,
NCD