The Uttarakhand Government is planning to introduce free pathology tests in the Government hospitals of the State soon but the attitude of the Government doctors suggests that scheme is bound to meet the fate of free medicine scheme which was introduced last year. The doctors of Doon Hospital and Doon Women’s Hospital here show unwarranted magnanimity on the private pathology labs as they suggest patients to get the tests done from there even though the hospital laboratories are adequately equipped for almost all types of tests.
The laboratories of the Government hospitals do pathology tests at very less amount and Below Poverty line (BPl) patients are not required to pay any charge for these tests also. This correspondent visited many wards of these hospitals and was surprised to see the open nexus of the private laboratories and the doctors. The agents of these private labs openly roam the wards of the hospital and collect samples. When confronted by this correspondent one of the sample collector conceded that they take the samples and provide the report in the ward itself. Father of an admitted child said that the doctors have advised the test of malaria and suggested him to get it done from outside. He claimed that the phone number of the sample collector of private lab was provided to him by the hospital staff. One of the doctors of the hospital said that they suggest the tests from outside only when they are not available in hospital. He claimed that many patients do not have faith in the hospital labs and insist on tests from outside.
The in charge of the pathology laboratory Doon Hospital, Dr N K Mishra told The Pioneer that hospital lab is very advanced and four pathologists and ten technicians are working in it. Dr T R Joshi who is serving the lab after his retirement as additional Director Health services said that hospital lab is best among the district hospitals of the State and the team of Medical Council of India (MCI) in its recent visit appreciated the facilities of the laboratory. The Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) of Doon Women’s hospital Dr Chandra Pant told The Pioneer that hospital laboratory is adequately equipped and strict action would be taken against those doctors who are found to suggest tests available in the hospital from outside.