Private lab technician caught taking blood sample at IGMC

An unauthorised person was caught taking blood samples of the patients at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) on Thursday. Suspected to be an employee of some private lab, the hospital authorities reported the matter to the police for further inquiry and action.

The IGMC and Dental College Employee Union has taken a serious note of the incident of a private lab employee entering the hospital and collecting samples. While expressing surprise and concern over the incident, Harinder Singh Mehta, president of the IGMC and Dental College Employees’ Union, said they have informed the IGMC Medical Superintendent that lack of any check on private labs was causing several issues, including overcharging from patients.

“Patients visiting government hospitals come from remote areas and have limited financial resources. Strict action should be taken against such lab operators,” he said.

He further pointed out that while government technicians are required to renew their registration with the Paramedical Council every three years, private labs operate without adequate supervision. The union appealed to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil to establish a body to monitor the quality and staff competence of private labs. They requested that labs found to be non-compliant or employing unqualified staff be shut down immediately.