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PGIMER Lab Services: Outsourcing Sparks Quality Row
24 Sep
Summary
- Committee advised against outsourcing lab services due to quality concerns.
- Standing Finance Committee approved outsourcing manpower for 24-hour diagnostic services.
- Medical Technologists Union opposes outsourcing, citing quality and policy issues.
A committee at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) recommended against outsourcing laboratory services, citing significant concerns regarding quality assurance and supervision. The committee emphasized that PGIMER's lab services are recognized for their strict quality implementation, which would be difficult to replicate with external providers.
Despite the committee's advice, PGIMER's Standing Finance Committee (SFC), in its 133rd meeting on August 12, 2026, approved outsourcing 42 technical manpower posts to extend diagnostic services to 24 hours. This decision was made after a proposal to create 458 additional regular posts was advised for rationalization.
The Medical Technologists Union is actively opposing the administration's decision. They cite a 2005 office memorandum from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that prohibits outsourcing technical staff, alongside fears of compromised quality assurance. The union believes internal resources are sufficient, noting 64 out of 534 laboratory technician posts are currently vacant.
