Allow non-medicos to sign path lab reports, says MCI

Nagpur: The Medical Council of India (MCI) board of governors (BOG) has advised Union health ministry to allow non-doctors, with relevant degrees like (MSc microbiology and biochemistry) to issue pathology reports.
Presently, all diagnostic reports can be signed only by a qualified pathologist (MD in pathology). The MCI recommendation has, however, evoked sharp reactions from qualified pathologists from across the country.
“The BOG has considered this matter at length. In our view, technical reports stating test results without recording any medical opinion on it can be signed by an MSc in medical biochemistry/medical microbiology or with PhD in relevant subjects,” says the letter issued by MCI secretary general Dr RK Vats to various authorities in the ministry of health and family welfare.
As soon as this letter, dated February 3, 2020, got circulated among the fraternity, Maharashtra Association of Practising Pathologists and Microbiologists came out condemning the BOG stand.
“The BOG is trying to legalize the actions of those who are unauthorized to analyse and sign the diagnostic reports. If accepted by health ministry, this will promote quackery which is already creating life threatening problems for people,” said Dr Sandeep Yadav, president of the association.
“In Maharashtra, there are more than 8,000 laboratories where technicians with MSc, MLT, DMLT and similar qualification are conducting tests. However, the test results have to be analysed and signed by qualified pathologists only. If the technicians are allowed to sign and hand over the reports to patients directly, it will reduce the importance of pathologists,” Dr Yadav explained.
Pathologist Dr Prasad Kulkarni claimed no MBBS student will opt for MD in pathology if this becomes a law. “With thousands of roadside labs running across the country, MBBS graduates are not opting pathology as branch of specialization. This year, 81 PG pathology seats out of total 226 in the country have remained vacant. Similar trend was seen in the last three years. If this continues, there will be drastic decrease in number of pathologists in the country,” he said.
At present, 3,500 pathologists are registered with Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC).