The Department of Trade has banned two private diagnostic institutions in Thimphu, Menjong Diagnostic Centre (SDCS) and Padkar Diagnostic Centre, for regulatory infractions such as failing to meet proper standards and delivering clinical services outside their authorized scope. On September 30, the department issued a statement suspending both centres’ licenses, banning them from providing services until further notice. However, the suspension was revoked after a week. The department sent a letter to the centers yesterday announcing that they could resume operations today, though the grounds for the suspension are unknown. The Department of Trade could not be reached for comment.
The Ministry of Health had asked the Department of Trade to suspend the diagnostic centers’ licences during the renewal process because they failed to fulfill proper standards and provided clinical services outside their allowed scope. According to the Ministry of Health, the diagnostic centers did not follow necessary guidelines. The centres were found to be recommending therapies to patients, which goes beyond their jurisdiction. “They also failed to comply with proper standards while providing services,” the ministry claimed.
However, the ministry discovered that both centers provided clinical services, including treatment prescriptions, which are not permitted under the rules. They had regularly failed to follow the basic operating procedures established in the agreement of arrangement. “They are not adhering to the guidelines set for private diagnostic centres,” the ministry noted. Currently, 11 private diagnostic institutes operate around the country. According to the framework principles for establishing private selective diagnostic services, private sector involvement in healthcare shall not have an impact on the general population’s free access to government-provided public health services.
