The Deputy Minister responding to a question raised by UNP Kurunegala District MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that there were 721 registered private medical laboratories in the country. Health Ministry officials regularly inspect those laboratories. Those who fail to provide accurate medical testing reports would be severely warned first and their performances would be re-scrutinized. If they fail again, action would be taken to shut them down, the Deputy Minister said.

He said that the initial registrations as well as the renewals each year were based on the recommendations of relevant provincial Directors of Health Services. Guidelines for the maintenance of private medical laboratories have been published and necessary actions are taken to register them accordingly.

The Deputy Minister said that the public could file complaints against laboratories that commit irregularities when issuing medical reports at the Unit for Public Complaints of the Ministry of Health, Director, Private Medical Sector Development, Ministry of Health, Regulatory Commission for Private Health Services, Offices of the Provincial Directors of Health Services and offices of the Regional Directors of Health Services. (Special Reporter/HC)