Pathologist body launches campaign against rogue labs

The recent dna exposé on unscrupulous diagnostic labs across the state using technicians to sign test reports has spurred the Maharashtra Association of Practising Pathologists and Microbiologists (MAPPM) to launch a massive sensitisation campaign. Worried at the way a lot of the labs were misusing their names, many qualified pathologists are approaching the police to rein in the fraudsters.

MAPPM, an umbrella body of qualified pathologists, is organizing a gathering of pathologists in Powai on Sunday. The association has invited experts to throw lights on the existing law pertaining to diagnostic labs.

According to MAPPM, there are more than 15,000 labs across the state, of which 1600 operate out of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. Under Medical Council of India (MCI) guidelines, MBBS doctors need to do a postgraduation in pathology to become a pathologist. Diploma holders can only assist a qualified pathologist.

"We have been receiving information on illegal labs everyday. After the Indian Medical Association (Maharashtra) asked its doctor members not to refer patients to labs that do not have qualified pathologies, three to four centres have already closed down in Jalgaon and some are on the verge of folding up," said Dr Rajiv Rao, executive council member, MAPPM.

Dr Rao said many pathologists have started collecting reports from labs that are misusing their names so that the forged documents can be produced as proof while filing police complaints.

"Anyone can open a lab today by obtaining a licence under the Shops and Establishments Act and showing that he has a pathologist on rolls. There is no check if a qualified pathologist is present at all times to sign reports," added Dr Rao.

During its investigation, dna had accessed lab reports from across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Panvel where the documents were signed by technicians holding a diploma in medical laboratory technology or MBBS doctors.

"We expect nearly 300 pathologists from Thane, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai to attend the event. There are three pathologists from Madhya Pradesh who will be coming here to share their experience. Apart from officials from the Indian Medical Association, Maharashtra Medical Council and legal experts, we have also invited a former IPS officer to provide additional legal knowledge on the issue," said Dr Sandeep Yadav, president of MAPPM.