The study suggests that the absence of laboratories not only forces patients to spend money in private hospitals, but medical students also lose out on the opportunity to acquire essential laboratory-related skills.
Broadly, three categories of laboratory were found in the studied colleges—molecular pathology (193), microbiology (54) and biochemistry (24). Other categories include hematology and immunohematology (19), histopathology (13), cytopathology (11), flow cytometry (7), clinical pathology (11), cytogenetics (3) and genetics (1).
The study said that a significant number of molecular pathology and microbiology laboratories are due to the COVID pandemic as the emphasis was on facilities meeting the standards to ensure reliable SARS-CoV-2 reports.
“Before the Covid pandemic, there were probably around 10 to 20 NABL microbiology
Or molecular pathology laboratories across the country,” Dr. Sanjay A. Pai of Manipal Hospital-Yesvantpur, one of the study authors, told ThePrint.
Pai acknowledged that many hospitals, both government and private, expect patients to undergo clinical trials from private diagnostic centers. “This means that patients will then have to pay out of their own pocket. Also, what about students from those colleges? They graduate without any experience with basic clinical tests,” he said.
He said that NABL accreditations are about achieving minimum safety standards. “While this cannot be done overnight, having relevant data can at least help the government formulate relevant policies to address this issue,” Pai said.
common facilities
To strike a balance as far as the facilities of laboratories are concerned, the study suggested that the National Medical Commission – the apex body regulating medical education and professionals – and scientific bodies should work with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. need to.
Given that laboratory equipment is usually expensive and needs to be replaced frequently, the study suggested the creation of common facilities that could be used by all medical institutions located in close proximity.
Thus, one hospital may provide flow cytometry services to other teaching hospitals in the vicinity and another may provide specialized coagulation services, the study said.
(Edited by Tony Rae)