PGIMER panel opposes outsourcing of diagnostic services despite approval of 42 technical posts
PGIMER
Chandigarh: The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has approved the outsourcing of 42 technical manpower posts to facilitate round-the-clock diagnostic services in its outpatient department (OPD), despite an institute-constituted committee having advised against outsourcing laboratory services on quality assurance and manpower-related grounds.
The Standing Finance Committee (SFC), in its 133rd meeting held on August 12, 2026, approved the outsourcing of 42 technical manpower posts for extending OPD laboratory services to 24 hours. The decision came after an earlier proposal to create additional regular laboratory technician posts was not approved in its original form.
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At present, diagnostic services at PGIMER’s Emergency and Trauma Centre are available 24 hours a day. However, diagnostic facilities in the OPD operate for limited hours, with the sample collection centre accepting samples only until 1.30 pm.
The institute has been exploring measures to extend diagnostic services to 24 hours following directions from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to operate CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray and other diagnostic equipment round the clock.
According to Hindustan Times, a committee was formed to explore the feasibility of outsourcing laboratory services on a 24/7 basis. The committee, consisting of the medical superintendent, heads of haematology, medical microbiology, and biochemistry departments, and an additional professor as convenor, advised against outsourcing laboratory services in three of its meetings.
At its first meeting, the members were of the view that outsourcing laboratory services would not be appropriate for an institute of eminence such as PGIMER. The committee noted that the institute follows strict quality-assurance procedures and that clinical departments prefer reports generated by PGIMER itself.
The committee also expressed concern that maintaining the same level of supervision and quality control would be difficult in an outsourced laboratory system.
The committee examined the model followed at AIIMS New Delhi and found that the core laboratory at the new Rajkumari Amrit Kaur OPD is being operated by staff of the Department of Laboratory Medicine. The facility functions round the clock, while sample collection timings have been extended until 6.30 pm.
Based on this model, heads of PGIMER’s laboratory departments suggested that OPD sample collection timings could similarly be extended if additional human resources were provided.
During its second meeting, the committee reiterated that, in the interest of quality services and the teaching programmes conducted for medical and paramedical students, it would be prudent for the institute not to outsource laboratory services.
In a final committee meeting, held under the chairmanship of Deputy Director Pankaj Rai on November 11, 2025, all members unanimously decided that sample collection timing in OPD shall be extended till 5 pm. Further, the haematology, biochemistry, and medical microbiology departments were asked to submit information on sanctioned manpower of technicians, phlebotomists, and other vacant posts, along with the additional requirement for extending service timings up to 5 pm, reports Hindustan Times.
The institute subsequently placed a proposal for the creation of 458 additional regular laboratory technician posts before the 132nd SFC meeting on February 18, 2026. The committee advised PGIMER to rationalise the proposal and resubmit it.
Instead of revising the proposal for creation of regular posts, the institute subsequently obtained approval at the 133rd SFC meeting to outsource 42 technical manpower posts for running 24-hour diagnostic services in the OPD.
The PGI Medical Technologists Union has opposed the decision, raising concerns over quality assurance and citing a 2005 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare office memorandum that, according to the union, prohibits outsourcing of technical, nursing, physiotherapy and certain other staff.
PGIMER currently has 534 sanctioned laboratory technician posts, of which 64 are vacant. The union has argued that the existing vacancies and manpower requirements should be addressed through regular recruitment rather than outsourcing.
