Only people who hold a MBBS degree and are enrolled in the (MCI) or state medical councils can now sign diagnostic reports, according to a new order issued by. The movement is aimed at regulating the quality and standard of reports generated by diagnostic chains, which multiply rapidly across the country.
According to the Board, doctoral researchers in different medical streams such as medical microbiology or medical biochemistry, professional laboratory technicians are not allowed to sign medical test reports issued by laboratories. "It was decided by the Executive Committee that 'All must be signed / endorsed by persons registered at the MCI / State Medical Council'," the Council said.
According to the Board, doctoral researchers in different medical streams such as medical microbiology or medical biochemistry, professional laboratory technicians are not allowed to sign medical test reports issued by laboratories. The decision was made at a recent MCI executive board meeting following the recommendations of its ethics committee.
Diagnostic industry in India is linked to Rs 37,000 crore annually, growing around 17%. There are more than 100,000 diagnostic laboratories throughout the country, while 80-90% of the market is dominated by unorganized players, with only 1% of them accredited.
While laboratories of reputed and established laboratories, mainly in meters, often receive reports signed and endorsed by people with MBBS, the smaller laboratories, particularly in level II and III cities or in rural areas use laboratory technicians and Fellows to sign test reports.
The MCI's decision comes after the National Board of Accreditation of Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) requests clarification from the Board on the issue as many laboratories use professional laboratory technicians to obtain verified reports. Despite appreciating the movement of MCI, experts say that this alone is not enough to guarantee quality and standard or care as MCI does not have the power to regulate diagnostic chains, particularly those that do not run by registered with it.
Officials say that while the government is aware of the discrepancies and anomalies in the industry, it is struggling to regulate the same, since most states have not yet adopted the Clinical Establishment Law, making it mandatory for such establishments Provide transparency. The law also requires that all diagnostic laboratories be physically occupied
