The scam of earning money through the PMJAY scheme in hospitals including Khyati has come to light, and it has also come to light that there are approximately ten thousand illegal laboratories operating in Gujarat. In fact, only MD pathologists can run laboratories, but those who have passed 10-12 and studied medical lab technology are running laboratories. The important thing is that the correct diagnosis of the patient’s disease is made only on the basis of the laboratory report. But in Gujarat, fingers are also being pointed at laboratories because they are running in a big way. Even though the Supreme Court itself has given an order, there is no implementation in Gujarat. There is a spate of illegal pathology laboratories in the state. Who can run laboratories in Gujarat? There has been a dispute between the Gujarat State Pathologist and Microbiologist Association and the State Lab Technicians for the last 19 years over who is eligible. In 2006, a public interest litigation was filed in the Gujarat High Court regarding this dispute, and in 2010, the High Court ruled that only doctors with a recognized degree should be in the laboratory. However, when this judgment was challenged in the Supreme Court, in 2017, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s judgment. In an important judgment given by the Supreme Court, it has been said that from now on, the signature of the MD pathologist should be mandatory in all laboratory reports. If there is a degree and signature other than that, the report will be considered illegal and action will be taken against it. Even after the Supreme Court’s order, there is a lot of pomp and circumstance in the laboratory. There is no one to look after the management of laboratories in rural areas rather than in cities. In laboratories, MD pathologists are not pathologists, but Std. 10-12 pass pathologists have become pathologists. In this matter, in the year 2017, the Gujarat Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists had given written information to the state police chief with the names and addresses of 512 illegal laboratories in Gujarat, but till date no legal action has been taken. It has also been reported that in Gujarat, the signature of a pathologist is mandatory in laboratories, but in many cases, a virtual signature is being done, which is not really valid.
Former president of Gujarat Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists Dr. Mahendra Patel says that the patient’s disease is diagnosed only on the basis of the lab report. Now if the diagnosis is wrong, then there can be a risk to the patient’s life. In view of this, it is mandatory to have an MD pathologist. Thus, while questions have been raised about the management of laboratories in Gujarat, the health department is sleeping soundly. Such shocking details have been found that even laboratory boards are sold in Gujarat, such as, the name of MD Pathologist is on the laboratory board, but in reality, only a 10-12 pass technician performs the test. The signature on the report should be that of MD Pathologist. Such a poll is going on in the laboratory. Despite this, the health department is turning a blind eye. The state health department and the police have continuously ignored the issue of illegal laboratories, and the state Lokayukta was also attacked. Some time ago, the state Lokayukta had asked for a detailed report from the state health department. It has been ordered to submit it. The District Health Officer asked who is the owner of the pathology lab. The names and addresses of the pathologists currently in the pathology lab, the names of the testers in the lab, the details of the method used to test, and the medical equipment used. He also ordered a check of the laboratory with all these details, but this fuss proved to be just a show. Today, this has been largely forgotten.
