Labs seek patients’ Aadhaar details before giving reports

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 26

Some private laboratories in the city ask for Aadhaar card when a patient goes to collect his/her test reports. The move has come as jolt to patients, who are reluctant to share their Aadhaar number, which has all their personal information, including bank account details.

When contacted, staff of one of the laboratory said Aadhaar details were asked if a patient is suffering for the notified diseases, including malaria, dengue, chikungunya and tuberculosis, for which data had to be submitted to the Health Department.

“The data of positive patients is submitted to the Health Department,” said an attendant at the lab.

Meanwhile, the front desk executive from another city-based laboratory in Kochar Market said they were not collecting Aadhaar cards from patients.

“We are giving reports to patients without Aadhaar card while data of patients, who test positive for notified diseases, is being updated with the Health Department,” he added.

When contacted Dr Ramesh, district epidemiologist said, “We asked laboratories to submit data of patients, who test positive for communicable diseases, with the Health Department, but collection of Aadhar card is not required for the same.”

“Private laboratories have been asked to submit data of patients suffering from notified diseases like dengue and malaria with the Health Department so that we know their exact number and specific areas from which they are coming,” he added.

“The laboratory staff has to fill the form having person’s name, address, telephone number and submit it to the Health Department. But we have never asked them to collect identity proof of patients,” he said.

“For TB patients there is separate portal. Though we have not instructed private labs to ask Aadhaar details, yet it has to be collected for their own convenience,” he added.

Why Aadhaar is required

Private labs in the city are asking Aadhaar card for conducting tests for dengue, malaria, chikungunya, typhoid, Hepatitis A, measles, chicken pox, swine flu, cholera and dysentery.