Goa Medical College begins inquiry into nexus in blood tests

Panaji, Oct 21: State-run

Medical College and Hospital has commenced

into the blood testing row, after it was discovered that private laboratories were given access to wards to conduct blood tests.

GMCH Dean Dr V N Jindal said today that the hospital has initiated inquiry into as to who allowed private laboratory agents in the hospital wards and collect blood samples when such a facility is available for patients free-of-cost in the hospital.

He said that stringent action would be initiated against those guilty, including nurses, who reportedly connived with the private agents. The issue surfaced on the floor of the House during the recently held session when Congress legislator Aleixo Reginald claimed that GMCH staff was in nexus with private laboratory operators, duping the patients for blood tests besides billing them expensively.

Dr Jindal said he had issued a circular last week warning the staff to abstain from indulging in such activity. "Now it will not happen. We have initiated an inquiry and we will be stricter," he assured. The Dean said that there are few tests, which needs to be done by the patient in private laboratories but there is enough infrastructure available for rest of the tests.

The Congress, which had raised the issue on the floor of the House, today demanded resignation of State Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar for lying in the assembly. Parsekar had claimed that the allegations of nexus by the Opposition benches were a media gimmick and non-substantial.

"Its clear now that such things do happen. There is a nexus. Parsekar should quit or Chief minister Manohar Parrikar should sack him," Congress legislator Aleixo Reginald told reporters today. Parsekar was not available for comment despite repeated attempts.

PTI