The Doctors Association for Social Equality and Paramedical Laboratory Educational and Welfare Association have said that a recent rule requiring basic blood test reports to be signed by MBBS doctors or specified postgraduate degree holders in small laboratories could impact their survival, potentially forcing them to shut down.A Government Order has imposed a condition that reports issued by laboratories categorised as “Basic” (small laboratories) – which cover routine investigations such as blood sugar, haemograms and basic infection – must be signed either by an MBBS doctor, or a postgraduate in MSc Pathology, Medical Microbiology, and Medical Biochemistry with one-year experience.They said that for more than 30 years, the educational qualifications required to conduct laboratory tests and sign reports had been defined throughout India, including Tamil Nadu. Individuals who have completed courses such as one-year Certificate in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT), two-year Diploma in MLT, BSc Medical Laboratory Technology, and MSc MLT have been conducting laboratory investigations and signing reports for many years.They said nearly 80% of the laboratories in Tamil Nadu performed only basic blood investigations. These are mostly small laboratories that provide services to economically weaker sections. People could undergo blood sugar, haemoglobin, blood grouping and other routine blood tests easily and at affordable cost near their homes, the release said.The G.O. is detrimental to these small laboratories, which receive 15-30 persons on an average per day. They operate on low service charges and cannot afford to employ MBBS doctors or postgraduate degree holders on salary. This is financially impossible for small establishments with limited income. As a result, many of these laboratories will be forced to shut down.The condition, they said, will benefit only large corporate diagnostic chains that are rapidly expanding across the State. This will adversely affect the welfare of the poor.The two associations demanded that the G.O. be revised to permit the long-standing practice of qualified laboratory technicians, who perform the tests, to sign and issue the reports.Many online platforms and applications advertise blood testing services. There is currently no effective monitoring to check whether the collected blood samples are tested, whether the tests are performed according to proper standards, whether they are conducted through registered laboratories, and whether qualified laboratory technicians perform these tests. The government should establish regulations and monitoring mechanisms for such services, they said.They also demanded that small laboratories be exempted from the need to obtain fire licenses. Published - July 06, 2026 10:48 pm IST