GUJRAT, Jan 29: At least 25 private pathological laboratories in the district are allegedly charging high only to provide inauthentic reports to the people.

A survey conducted by this correspondent on Monday revealed the laboratories had been rearing the business in Gujrat, Jalalpur Jattan, Kunjah, Lalamusa, Kharian, Dinga and Sarai Alamgir.

According to the rules, pathologists should be in charge of these laboratories. However, owners of these laboratories had inducted ill-trained staff to deal with, it was learnt.

The rates which these laboratories charge are more than double as compared to that of official laboratory in the DHQ Hospital. A source, who did not want his name to be disclosed, told Dawn that official doctors got at least 30 per cent commission from a patient at private institutes.

Due to brainwashing by the doctors, he said, the patients did not trust the results of the hospital laboratories and prefer visiting private centres.

A patient in the DHQ Hospital told this correspondent that he could not find X-ray films from the radiology department when needed and he had to go outside for the purpose.

When contacted, a local health official said there were no clear indications regarding the functioning of these laboratories. To a question, he said the drug inspectors were responsible only for registered drug and medical stores. However, he agreed saying all the laboratories were non-registered.

The people have urged the higher officials to take stock of the situation and get a rate list of tests issued for their convenience.

The comparison in rates in the official labs and the private labs is given below.