Proper System To Regulate Pathological Labs Will Be Put In Place At The Earliest: Delhi Health Minister, Secretary Assure High Court

Delhi Health Minister and Health Secretary yesterday assured the Delhi High Court that a proper, fair and reasonable system of regulation of pathological labs in the national capital shall be put in place at the earliest.

The undertaking was given before a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora which was hearing a batch of pleas concerning the issue of unauthorized pathological labs and diagnostic centers in the city.

Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and Health Secretary, Dr.S.B. Deepak Kumar, IAS, were present in court pursuant to the court order passed last month.

The bench noted that there was a difference of opinion as to whether pending approval of the proposed local draft legislation by the Central Government, the Central Clinical Establishment Registration Regulation Act, 2010, needs to be implemented.

Advocate Shashank Deo Sudhi appearing for the petitioner submitted that due to inaction on the part of Delhi Health Minister and Health Secretary, the pathological laboratories in the city continue to remain unregulated as they are still governed by the Delhi Shops and Establishment Act, 1954.

It was submitted that the authorities were playing with precious life of innocent people of Delhi by allowing unqualified medical practitioners to sign pathological reports.

As the Health Minister and the Health Secretary prayed for some time to examine the aspects highlighted during the hearing, the court listed the matter for hearing next on April 04.

The bench was dealing with a contempt petition filed by social activist Bejon Kumar Misra in 2019. Other petitions have also been tagged with the matter, including Misra's PIL filed in 2018 seeking the framing of a policy to regulate the opening and running of pathological laboratories in Delhi.

Misra has sought the constitution of an appropriate authority for regular checking of pathological labs. The PIL also called for strict implementation of the Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act of 2010 in the national capital.

Title: Bejon Kumar Misra v. GNCTD and other connected matters

Click Here To Read Order