Delhi High Court Seeks GNCTD's Reply On Qualification Prescribed For Signing Of Laboratory Reports By Medical Practitioners

The Delhi High Court on Friday asked the Delhi Government if it has complied with the 2017 directions of the Supreme Court, setting out the desired qualifications for Laboratory Technicians.

While hearing a plea against mushrooming of illegal/ unauthorized laboratories in the national capital, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh asked the Delhi Government to file an additional affidavit, indicating whether the directions issued in the case of North Gujarat Unit of Association of Self Employed Owners Secretary v. North Gujarat Pathologists Association have been complied with.

"Laboratory Report can be counter signed only by a registered medical practitioner with a post graduate qualification in pathology," it was held in the case.

During the hearing, Advocate Gautam Narayan for the Respondent apprised the Court that Pathological reports are issued by persons holding minimum MBBS degree. He informed that all medical diagnostic laboratories situated in NCT of Delhi are classified into three categories, namely, Basic Composite; Medium and Advanced.

A public notice in this regard was issued, stipulating that the reports of the Advanced category and Medium category laboratories shall be signed either by doctors registered with Delhi Medical Council having Post-Graduate qualification in Pathology/ Bio-chemistry/Microbiology/ Laboratory Medicine or having MBBS with Ph.D qualification in Pathology/ Bio-chemistry/Microbiology/ Laboratory Medicine. Further, the reports of Basic Composite laboratory shall be signed by doctors registered with Delhi Medical Council having minimum MBBS Degree. 

Strongly opposing this arrangement, Advocate Shashank Deo Sudhi for the Petitioner argued,

"Where is the question of signing by MBBS? The Supreme Court ruled that only PG doctors are eligible. At least they should have read what Supreme Court said. This is unfortunate."

He added,

"Diagnosis is the most important step for any treatment...Common people are entitled to quality diagnostic reports."

Accordingly, time is granted to respond on the issue, Matter is listed for hearing on September 15.