Maha govt. moves to crack down on bogus pathology labs | Fusion - WeRIndia

In a significant move to combat fraudulent pathology labs, Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant announced the state government drafted a new law targeting unregistered labs.

Speaking during the Question Hour in the state assembly, the minister detailed the provisions of the proposed legislation. It aimed at enforcing strict rules and regulations.

The proposed law will introduce flying squads to monitor and enforce compliance.

Unregistered pathology laboratories will be banned from operating. The issue spans multiple departments, including urban development, public health, and medical education, highlighting its widespread impact.

BJP MLA Ashish Shelar criticized the existing situation, stating that bogus pathology labs exploit people and compromise their health.

He called for criminal charges against violators and emphasized the need to register the numerous collection centres that have emerged over the years.

NCP (SP) legislator Rajesh Tope suggested amending the Nursing Home Act if the new law cannot be implemented swiftly.

The minister responded that the draft of the new law is ready and amendments to the Nursing Home Act will be considered if necessary.

Yogesh Sagar of the BJP highlighted the critical role pathology plays in surgeries, noting that the underprivileged often resort to these fraudulent labs for testing.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Ajay Choudhary accused bogus pathology labs of colluding with government hospitals, further complicating the issue.

The discussion was initiated by BJP legislator Sunil Rane, who questioned the number of pathology labs in Mumbai.

He expressed surprise at the government’s response, revealing that under the current Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act of 1888, there is no requirement for pathology lab registration.

He also emphasized the need for the following: Fire NOC, certification from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, certification for good clinical practices, and registration for bio-medical waste disposal. Minister Samant provided data from the Maharashtra Paramedical Council.

The Council has authorized 7,085 candidates to operate pathology labs since 2019, with 182 of these in Mumbai. Additionally, there are 197 labs in civic-run hospitals in Mumbai.

This proposed legislation marks a critical step towards ensuring the integrity of medical testing in Maharashtra and protecting citizens from fraudulent practices.

By enforcing strict regulations and monitoring compliance, the government aims to restore public trust in pathology services and safeguard public health.

Image Credit: Heinz OSM, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maharashtra.png