Against diagnostics Act: Radiologists join strike

KOZHIKODE: More than 300 radiologists in the state under the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association  have joined the nationwide indefinite strike that began on Thursday demanding improvement in the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostics Techniques Act. They say that the radiologists will be charged with non-bailable offence for simple mistakes like failing to fully fill a register. The association’s Kerala chapter president Dr T.K Sandeep said that the Act formed decades back should be amended.

At that time, female foeticide was common following sex determination. However, in states like Kerala, the diagnostic centres face closure for minor mistakes. “The condition of some  North Indian states is different which cannot be compared to that in  Kerala. There should be timely changes in the  Act  without holding the radiologist responsible for every error in the register and closing down the centres,” said Dr Sandeep.

Hundreds of  patients depending on individual diagnostic centres are affected  due to the strike, since hospitals are not involved in the strike. There are more than 20,000 registered radiologists under the association in India and more than 300 in the state. The association has also demanded a standard interpretation of the law by the appropriate authority and consistent application of the same.