Health Directorate Mandates Manual Signatures instead of Electronic Signatures on Medical Reports
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has made it mandatory that pathology and radiology reports must bear the handwritten signature of the concerned specialist or physician, declaring that electronic or online signatures will no longer be accepted on such reports.
The directive was issued on Monday, January 5, through an official notice signed by Dr Abu Hossain Md Moinul Ahsan, Director (Hospitals and Clinics) of the DGHS.
According to the new instructions, the physician or specialist signing a report must be a BMDC-registered medical graduate. Reports signed by specialists or medical officers who have only applied for licenses will not be considered valid. The move aims to ensure greater reliability of medical reports and improve the overall quality of healthcare services.
The directive further states that laboratories may collect samples only from the address mentioned in their trade license. Sample collection from any other location or facility has been strictly prohibited. Even in the case of auto-generated or software-based reports, acceptance will depend on verification and handwritten signature by a registered specialist physician.
It reiterates that all report signatories must be registered medical graduates with the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) to safeguard data accuracy and patient safety.
Additionally, all equipment and reagents used in laboratories must comply with the Bangladesh Medical Device Registration Guidelines 2015. The DGHS has also instructed laboratories to carry out regular calibration of equipment, which is essential for maintaining the accuracy of test results.
Maintaining laboratory registers and preserving records of all tests have been made compulsory. Laboratories have also been directed to ensure proper disposal of medical waste to reduce health risks and environmental pollution.
The health authority noted that strict implementation of these regulations would compel private laboratories to upgrade service quality and ensure greater accountability.
DBTech/AH/EK/OR
