Shortage of lab technicians hits work at medical laboratory

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 28

Owing to a shortage of lab technicians, work is getting affected on a daily basis at the medical laboratory of the Civil Hospital. Notably, the number of patients at the hospital has almost doubled in the past six years. But, the medical lab is being managed with the existing staff.

With an increase in the number of patients, the burden on the existing staff has also increased and so does the chances of errors. A lab technician in the medical laboratory requires technical knowledge and expertise to ensure that diagnosis is done in an accurate manner.

To avoid errors and reduce the burden from the existing staff, the district Health Department has instructed them to collect samples till 11 am on a daily basis.

As a result, patients in large numbers, especially those visiting from far off places, have started complaining that the employees collect a few samples and stop it after 11 am.

Sources said the medical laboratory at the Civil Hospital have been grappling with a shortage of lab technicians for more than five years now. There is a significant increase in the number of patients visiting the lab for medical tests. But owing to the shortage, only a few of them get their tests done in the single day, while rest of them is asked to come the following day.

It has often been observed that many patients return without getting their tests done at the laboratory.

Medical Officer Dr Maninder, who is also the in-charge of the medical laboratory at the Civil Hospital, said, “We have been provided with all required medical equipment to collect and conduct medical tests by the department. But, we have been grappling with a shortage of lab technicians for a long time now.”

“We have apprised the higher authorities of the need for six lab technicians. At present, it becomes really difficult to manage the affairs as we have to send lab technicians to the women and children hospital as well. Against the requirement of 18 lab technicians, the hospital has 12. We collect 100 to 150 samples till 11 am on a daily basis,” he added.

Dr Satish Goyal, Senior Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, said, “Earlier, we used to manage meet the shortage of staff by outsourcing lab technicians. But recently, the higher authorities have asked to get their permissions before outsourcing the staff. We have sought approval from them, but we have not got any response so far.”