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Illegal diagnostic labs mushrooming

IMRUL HASAN
Around 450 laboratory and diagnostic centres in the city are operating without the approval from the Directorate General of Health Service (DGHS), say sources.
According to statistics, until May 30 this year 525 laboratories and diagnostic centres have been registered under the DGHS. However, the total number of such medical facilities is believed to be more than a thousand.
"The numbers are increasing rapidly. After May 30, five or six more labs and diagnostic centres have started business without our approval," said Dr. Mahmud Hussain, a senior official of DGHS.
"We run inspections twice a week. We also alert defaulting institutions through the print and electronic media that they should obtain licenses as soon as possible," he added.
An investigation carried out by Star City showed that diagnostic centres such as Auto Path, Unipath, New Diagnostic, Memory Diagn-ostic, The Diagnostic Lab and some other laboratories lacked basic facilities like pathological labs, doctor's chambers, trained employees and nurses. The environment inside these diagnostic centres also appeared unhy-
gienic and the equipment used was outdated. Very few patients actually turn up at these labs. The pathologists and lab technicians were also not skilled enough to perform critical tests.
When inquired about the trade license, the manager of The Diagnostic Lab said that if they obtain one, then they would have to pay renewal fees and VAT (Value Added Tax) every year. "That is why we have not applied for a license," he said.
"Although there are unauthorised diagnostic labs in residential areas, these are however needed for the sake of residents as the number of government hospitals is not sufficient," said Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman Bhuiyan, president of Bangladesh Clinic and Diagnostic Owners Association.
A section of doctors also refer patients to unauthorised labs for tests. Some diagnostic centres have even employed representatives to persuade doctors into referring people to them in exchange of 'commission' and other benefits. The unsuspecting patients often pay the price for their unconditional faith in certain doctors.
"I have had my blood examined at two diagnostic centres. The two reports are completely different. I am totally confused now," said Ziaul Hasan while
coming out of Memory Diagnostic.
The diagnostic centres also fix their rates according to their wish as there are no rules and regulations from the government.
"We have no fixed rates. The rates are negotiated on the basis of understanding among owners of various centres," admitted owner of a diagnostic lab at Moghbazar.
Many blame the DGHS for not exercising enough control over unauthorised diagnostic centres.
Although rules stipulate regular visits by officials of the directorate for checking whether diagnostic centres have necessary manpower,
equipment and devices, no such inspection had taken
place in years, claimed a
senior official of the DGHS.
However, Md. Abdur Rahman Khan, the director general of DGHS denied the allegation.
"We supervise unregistered centres and ask them to take approval by fulfilling our conditions. We take legal actions if they fail to do so.
"The Health and Family Welfare Ministry and DGHS have begun the gradual process of reforming the health sector including modernising the facilities of diagnostic centres," he said.