Question : PATHOLOGICAL LABORATORIES

(a) whether the Government has received any complaints regarding malfunctioning of pathological laboratories working in Government hospitals;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has prescribed/the norms/guidelines for functioning of pathological laboratories in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof, State/UTwise, and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps taken/proposed by the Government to look into the unsatisfactory functioning of pathological laboratories?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABIAZAD)

(a)to(e): Health being a state subject, no such information is maintained centrally. In so far as three Central Government Hospitals in Delhi viz., Dr. RML Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital and LHMC are concerned , no such complaint has been received. Accreditation of laboratories is done by the National Accreditation Board for Laboratories (NABL) . Accreditation by NABL is a voluntary process. Moreover, with a view to develop minimum standards far clinical establishments including diagnostic labs, the Clinical Establishments (Registration & Regulation), Act, 2010 has been published in the Gazette of India. Once this Act is adopted by the State Governments it will ensure maintaining of minimum standards by all types of clinical establishments including labs under this law.