Legislation to rein in private labs in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, July 15: Kerala government is all set to bring in a legislation to rein in and bring uniform standards for private laboratories operating in the state, Health Minister V S Sivakumar informed the Assembly today.

The government's objective is to bring in guidelines, ensure quality services in laboratories and also to stop functioning of unauthorised ones, Sivakumar said, replying to a calling attention.

K S Saleekha (CPI-M) asked the government to take steps to ensure operational efficiency, fix unified rates for diagnosis and make registration mandatory for laboratories in the state. The draft of the legislation that would check and control laboratories has been circulated among the legislators and it would be brought before the assembly soon, Sivakumar said.

The government, on the other hand, is also planning to strengthen its hospitals by setting up more laboratories attached to government hospitals, he said. In association with Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, government would set up advanced laboratories in all district general hospitals.

Examination for BPL category families would be free in these laboratories, he said. Government is moving step by step to ensure good quality laboratories, he added.

Raids were conducted now in private laboratories as per the provisions of the Public Health Act to check anomalies if any, he said, adding, necessary instructions in this regard have been given to District Medical Officers.

PTI