CURATED BY – MOHMMAD MUNEER | CITYCHIEFNEWS

These days, pathology labs are operating illegally in many places in Byohari, city and rural areas, which the responsible officer is also aware of, but it seems as if he has blindfolded himself after taking his commission. Illegal pathology labs are being run by the operators in many places in the rural areas including the city under Byohari area. Is the block medical officer not aware of these illegal pathology labs? Perhaps it would be wrong to say this because dozens of pathology labs are operating right in front of the Community Health Center Byohari and it is not that he does not notice those pathology labs while coming and going from there. Experts are saying that it seems as if the responsible officer has given a free hand to the operators of those illegal pathology labs to operate the pathology lab after taking his commission. It is surprising that why action is being avoided against these centres operating without permission and recognition. Whereas as per the rules, the administration had to tighten the noose on these illegal pathology labs, so that physical and economic exploitation of the general public could be stopped. It is worth mentioning that due to administrative negligence, illegal pathology labs are being operated from city to village without pathologist and without registration. If sources are to be believed, they do not even have the NOC of Medical Waste and Pollution Control Board. Despite this, no action has been taken against them by the Health Department. If the District Health Department is to be believed, no pathology operating here is registered in the records. Due to lack of action, the courage of illegal lab operators has increased so much that blood of patients is being openly drawn in the lab.

Ignoring the rules -
According to experts, only a doctor registered by MCI (Medical Council of India) and holding a post graduate degree is considered authorized to certify the pathology test report. Along with this, it is necessary to have qualified lab technicians posted in the lab. Whereas in Byohari, non-pathologists and quack medical personnel are also taking blood, urine and dung samples and giving test reports. Which is not only wrong but also a blatant violation of the health act. There is a provision of imprisonment and fine for not following this.

Reports being made by inexperienced people -
The standards are not being followed in any pathology. Hence, the work of collecting samples and issuing test reports is in the hands of inexperienced people. In such a situation, the credibility of the test report is also under question. The situation is such that in most of the testing houses, blood, urine and other tests of the patients are being done by untrained personnel. The surprising thing is that on this basis, the doctors are treating the patients and prescribing medicines. The patients have to bear the economic, physical and mental brunt of this. The administration is also not showing seriousness in this regard. As per the rules, there is a clear instruction to put up a rate chart for each test. The main objective behind this is that only the fixed amount should be charged from the patients in the name of investigation and there should be no arbitrariness in it. But, most of the investigation centers here do not have a fee table. Due to this, the formula of fee is being adopted as per the patient.
Qualification and registration ignored -
The government has duly implemented rules for lab operation, but surprisingly, even the DMLT and his associates who are running the lab are signing the reports while the lab operator should be MBBS, MD pathologist. Not only this, the labs being run illegally neither have the registration of Pollution Board as per rules nor the registration of a registered medical waste firm.
Response
This matter has been brought to my notice by you, after investigation, if it is found illegal, action will be taken.
O.P. Chaudhary
Block Medical Officer Byohari