Gujarat is facing a critical issue with nearly 10,000 illegal pathology laboratories operating without qualified personnel. As per regulations, an MD in Pathology is mandatory to run a lab. However, individuals with only basic schooling or pursuing Medical Lab Technology courses are reportedly managing these facilities.
Despite a 2017 Supreme Court ruling mandating that all lab reports must be signed by MD Pathologists, unregulated practices like virtual signatures and fraudulent licensing remain rampant. Instances have been reported where labs display MD Pathologists’ names to appear legitimate, while tests are conducted by unqualified technicians.
In 2017, the Gujarat Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists provided a list of 512 illegal labs to state authorities, but no action was taken. Former association president Dr. Mahendra Patel emphasized the dangers of misdiagnoses stemming from such illegal practices, which continue to threaten public health.
As reported by medicalbuyer, the issue has drawn the attention of the Gujarat Lokayukta, which recently requested a detailed report from the state health department, directing inspections and data collection on lab ownership and credentials. However, enforcement remains weak, and the problem persists, particularly in rural areas, raising urgent concerns over public safety.