A surprise raid by officials of the Department of Health in the district on Friday led to 16 laboratories in the district being closed down as they failed to adhere to the hygiene norms.
District Medical Officer P.K. Mohanan said that the raid was carried out as part of the Department’s attempt to prevent contagious diseases. He said that there were a few complaints against some laboratories in the district.
The department had deployed 55 teams to conduct raids in different parts of the district simultaneously. The teams inspected 157 laboratories and dental clinics. Apart from the multitude of laboratories near the Medical College, raids were carried out near the Beach Hospital and Palayam as well. Interestingly, two of the sixteen labs that were closed down are located in the Government Medical College premises.
The officials confiscated outdated Lab reagents, test kits, stains and even pesticides from some labs. Many labs were slapped with warning to dispose off the biomedical waste and disposable needles promptly. Action was taken against labs that were functioning without licence or necessary precautions.
A fine of Rs. 2,000 each was levied from 10 institutions under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act for not discouraging smoking in their premises.
Dr.Mohanan said that labs should take measures to ensure that they do not become epicentres of contagious diseases.
“People with different ailments visit the laboratories. If proper precautions are not taken, there are chances of diseases spreading from one person to another,” he said. The closed laboratories will be allowed to reopen only if they corrected their problems and adhere to the norms, the DMO added.