Pathologists’ assn submits list of illegal labs to civil surgeon

BATHINDA: In their bid to crack a whip on illegal pathology labs and quacks in the district, a list of 35 such labs was submitted by executive members of the Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists, Bathinda, to the Civil Surgeon.

Members of the Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists during a press conference at a city hotel in Bathinda on Sunday. A Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 15

In their bid to crack a whip on illegal pathology labs and quacks in the district, a list of 35 such labs was submitted by executive members of the Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists, Bathinda, to the Civil Surgeon. This was revealed at a press conference-cum-CME (continued medical education) organised at a city hotel that was attended by renowned pathologists from the region on Sunday.

According to the association members, these 35 illegal private labs are just a “tip of the iceberg” and before the final list is collated, which would include labs operating from private hospitals in the city, the number of illegal labs is likely to rise three to fourfold.

It is pertinent to mention that the Supreme Court in its December 2017 judgment had mandated that medical reports signed by only a post-graduate in pathology (MBBS followed by MD pathology) or MBBS along with 2 years diploma in clinical pathology (DCP) (registered with the MCI) must be considered valid, failing which the court can impose a fine and take appropriate legal action against illegal lab practitioners.

Dr Rajendra Lalani, president of the Gujarat Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists, who attended the event as the chief guest, said, “Owing to the official apathy the business of these illegal pathology labs is flourishing. The administration and respective state governments need to act tough against this ill-practice.”

Lalani said, “There have been several instances where patients suffered due to wrong treatment following inaccurate diagnosis. There are close to 1,200 illegal private labs operating in Punjab and the number of such labs will surge by the time we make the final list.”

Anita Bansal Mittal, president of the pathologists association (Bathinda), said, “It is a serious health issue. If diagnosis is not proper, how can we expect that a patient is getting the right treatment. We demand that all illegal pathology labs must be closed and appointments must be made for pathologists at government hospitals. We will give representations regarding this to the chief minister, the health minister, the health secretary, the district health officers, the deputy commissioners and the civil surgeons.”

The pathologists also demanded that strict action must be taken against those who are selling their signatures (digital) and cheating patients.