A special inspection drive conducted by the Health Department on Saturday exposed multiple violations at medical laboratories in Mangaluru, particularly in the Hampankatta area. The inspection team found several labs operating with expired licenses and not adhering to the mandated biomedical waste disposal guidelines.
Officials discovered that many of these labs had ignored regulatory protocols despite prior warnings. Notices have been issued to non-compliant facilities for corrective action. Improper biomedical waste handling poses significant health and environmental risks, and authorities emphasized that strict adherence to disposal standards is mandatory under health and safety regulations.
In a notable enforcement action, a laboratory located in Deralakatte was sealed after it was found to be functioning without any valid documentation. This lab had already been served a notice earlier but continued operations without obtaining the required licenses.
The inspection team comprised District Health Officer Dr Thimmaiah, Dr Deepa Prabhu, and Dr Chirag, along with other Health Department officials. They affirmed that these inspections will continue in the coming weeks to ensure compliance and accountability in the healthcare diagnostic sector.
Authorities have also warned that repeated violations could lead to further legal action, suspension, or cancellation of operations. Citizens have been urged to verify the credentials of diagnostic labs before availing of any services to ensure their safety.