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Mumbai: A separate law will be made to curb illegal pathology labs in Maharashtra. The state government said in the assembly today that strict provisions including imprisonment for the managers of such laboratories will be included in it. This law will also regulate government and private laboratories.
The new law will also be applicable to collection centres that are started in streets and neighbourhoods: If the bill is not introduced in this session, it will be included by amending the Nursing Home Act.
The government told the assembly that the draft policy for this law has already been received by the government. If this bill could not be introduced in the current session, then the government will amend the Bombay Nursing Home Act to bring pathology laboratories under its purview if needed.
Responding to questions raised by various MLAs, the government said that the state is flooded with street and Khune Khaher collection centres. Such collection centres will also come under this Act.
The state government will soon form a flying squad to inspect various pathology labs. If these labs are operating without proper certification, their registration will be cancelled.
According to the proposed law, the registration period for path labs will be three years. This registration will be done through an online process in a transparent manner. This registration can be done before medical health officers in municipal areas and district surgeons in other urban areas and district health officers in rural areas.
It will be mandatory to inspect the rack laboratory twice a year. If any irregularity is found, the registration of the laboratory will be suspended. If the laboratory continues to function despite suspension, its managers will be given a stipend for five years and a gratuity of up to Rs 1 lakh.
The proposed law will have stringent provisions, including imprisonment as per the Indian Judicial Code.
Out of 13 thousand labs in the state, 8 thousand do not have pathologists
According to data from the Maharashtra Association of Practicing Pathologists and Microbiologists, there are 13,000 laboratories functioning across the state. Of these, more than eight thousand laboratories do not have any qualified pathologist.
80 percent of such labs are running in urban areas.
It is necessary for the pathology laboratory to obtain a certificate from the Maharashtra Paramedical Council. From 2019 to 2024, 7185 such labs were given certificates in the state of Ramyan. Out of these, 187 labs in Mumbai were given certificates.
197 laboratories are attached to Mumbai Municipal Corporation hospitals. The municipality is responsible for their management.
