JOIN USThe anti-quackery cell of Delhi Medical Council has received complaints against seven clinics which are allegedly operating without licences in Kirari late last week.
This comes after the High Court accepted the recommendations of the Delhi government and state Police to implement stricter guidelines to curb quackery here on Friday.
“We have received complaints against seven clinics which do not have licences to operate. The complainant has alleged that the clinics remain closed from 1-6 pm and operate beyond these hours. This is to escape raids usually conducted between 1-2 pm, the complainant has said. We are looking into the complaint,” said Dr Anil Bansal, chairperson of the anti-quackery cell, Delhi Medical Council (DMC).
Earlier, the complainant had asked the council to act against two of these seven clinics.
“Though the prescriptions have letterheads, the clinics are run by quacks. A boy had succumbed to wrong treatment over two months back at one of these clinics,” said Rajesh Kumar, the complainant.
Under the current guidelines, the DMC, Bharatiya Chikitsha Parishad, Board of Homeopathic System of Medicine, Delhi Council for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy and Delhi Dental Council will have to maintain a database of all surveys and ongoing activities related to quackery.
Also, for the first time a police team will accompany the raiding team, which includes a council representative and a chief district medical officer (CDMO) in each district.
Raids will be conducted at least once a month.
Areas which have reported a spike in the number of quackery cases would, however, experience more frequent screenings.
The names of registered members of each council will also be updated on the website.
“We welcome the current proposal which has cut a long procedure short.
If sincerely implemented, these guidelines will help curb the menace of quackery. We have also planned to conduct annual awareness programmes to create awareness among the public,” said Dr Bansal.
Each council now has to complete the verification process of a doctor in a maximum of 72 hours on receiving a complaint.
The medical practice of a fake doctor will be immediately terminated and such a clinic would be shut.
The Drugs Control Department has been asked to check if chemists are practising illegal stocking of medicines and send a monthly report to the inspection team of the anti-quackery cell.
The High Court has ordered to implement the guidelines at the earliest.