'Need help from cops, govt to act against fake doctors'

Dr Anil Bansal, chairperson of the Anti-Quackery Cell of the Delhi Medical Association, feels only a strong coordination with the Delhi police and government can clamp down he practice of illegal doctors in the Capital.

“The anti-quackery cell can effectively act against quacks here only with the aid of the police and government. There is not enough manpower with the cell to monitor the activity of illegal doctors,” said Dr Bansal.

The slack in the standards adopted by the government in acting against quacks irks him. “Every citizen has the right to quality healthcare. Crosspathy is strictly banned.
But such cases are rampant. This clearly shows that enough action is not being taken.”

The cell needs active participation from politicians, bureaucrats, police and drug controller to identify the belts which has the highest concentration of quacks.

Currently, there are at least 40,000 quacks practising in Delhi. Wherever there is the concentration of slum clusters, there exists the thriving practice of quacks. Anand Parbat, Jahangirpuri, Karolbagh, Seemapuri, Sangam Vihar, Seemapuri, Kirari, Mangolpuri and Chirag Dilli, among others have a high number of illegal clinics.

“Every second somebody is falling prey to wrong treatment. The very thought is so depressing.”

An anti-quackery bill is the need of the hour, he feels.

“I think an anti-quackery bill should come into play to stop the growing menace. Quacks can thrive only because of apathy of higher authorities.”

HC order

In a recent High Court order, the DMC, Bharatiya Chikitsha Parishad, Board of Homeopathic System of Medicine, Delhi Council for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy and Delhi Dental Council have been directed to maintain a database of all ongoing activities related to quackery.

The court had also directed police to accompany the councils during raids conducted at least once a month.

“A month has passed. But not even one meeting has been held. Each council is supposed to complete the verification process of a doctor in a maximum of 72 hours on receiving a complaint,” said the chairperson.

“The medical practice of a fake doctor is to be immediately terminated and such a clinic be ordered shut. Even with a considerable number of cases reported, no action has been taken by the government,” he added.

In a recent case reported by the Deccan Herald, a 10-year-old boy lost his left leg due to wrong treatment. “Fast-track courts need to dispose cases early. Sometimes court proceedings take till years,” said Dr Bansal.  
 
“The order also said that public awareness campaigns be held regularly. Hopefully there will be fast implementation of the order.”