KARACHI: The absence of a central regulatory authority in Sindh is leading to the issuance of misleading or outright wrong lab reports. Increase in the number of clinical, pathological laboratories have also led to increase in the number of incorrect test reports which means the patients end up taking wrong medication, a practice which can be fatal. According to health experts, there is now a dire need to establish a regulatory authority. Such an authority would not only register and monitor diagnostic laboratories but would also ensure quality control. “It requires dedication, sincerity from the government to establish a central regulatory authority in province.” said Dr Qaiser Sajjad, Sectary General Pakistan Medical Association while talking to Daily Times. At present, it is estimated that there are over 1,300 small, medium and large laboratories run by individuals, the government or private hospitals and universities. However, experts believe that the large numbers of laboratories are failing to maintain quality control systems, and often issue incorrect results. Terming the establishment of central regulatory authority for diagnostic labs ‘very crucial’, Dr Sajjad said around 10 percent of the medical investigation requires reports from diagnostic labs for treatment. “If labs would be producing incorrect results, they simply put lives at risk,” he added. Dr Sajjad urged the government to play its due role in the matter, and asserted that the authorities should make it mandatory for every lab to employ at least one trained technician and a qualified pathologist. Many laboratories have no qualified pathologists thus creating an opportunity for technicians to step in which promotes quackery, Dr Sajjad observed. At present there are currently no legal provisions for the regulation of such institutions. In the absence, the laboratories find themselves answerable to no one for their alleged negligence and wrong-doings. If this was not done, the problem of inaccurate reporting will continue to haunt specialists, who largely depend on lab investigations for diagnosis and prognosis, Dr Sajjad added. Published in Daily Times, June 26th, 2017.