New Delhi, Feb 17 (IANS): Teachers of medical microbiology and biochemistry at the Masters level (MSc) have hailed the government's move to allow Masters degree holders in these disciplines, and with three years of laboratory experience, to become authorised signatories of diagnostic laboratory test reports.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had issued a gazette notification regarding Clinical Establishment (Central Government) Amendment Rules 2020 on February 14. The notification came after the Board of Governors in supersession of the Medical Council of India, gave its decision regarding the role of an authorized signatory, to the Ministry.

Welcoming the Ministry's move, Dr. Sridhar Rao, President National MSc Medical Teachers Association (MMTA) said, "it was indeed a long battle to win back our rights. Signing authority was snatched from us and many of our members lost jobs or were demoted at workplace and faced a lot of hardships".

Pointing out that clinical scientists in countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, the US, UK, and New Zealand and the EU and Middle East countries are allowed to sign the diagnostic reports, Rao said that with the union government clearing the way, all the states must adopt these guidelines.