Med council shuts 13 illegal clinics

Raids intensify after court order on quacks

The Delhi Medical Council has ordered closure of 13 clinics illegally functioning in northwest part of the city.

The raids were conducted along with Delhi Police and chief district medical officers (CDMOs) as a part of the anti-quackery fortnight being observed by the Delhi Medical Council (DMC).

Conducting raids has picked up pace almost five months after the High Court passed an order for strict implementation of fresh guidelines to clamp down on quacks in the city.

Sources in the DMC alleged the Directorate of Health Services has not actively taken interest in conducting raids in the past few months.

There has been as few as six raids since May when the High Court order was passed.
Since the DMC lacks manpower, officials from this cell would need the aid of police and CDMOs while conducting raids and monitoring illegal clinics, the HC order stated.

“The council has planned to intensify raids in all 11 districts in Delhi to clamp down on quacks here. The fortnight is being observed from October 1 onwards. The frequent raids will be carried on till October 15 across the city. The illegal clinics will be shut down,” said Dr Girish Tyagi, Registrar, DMC.

Earlier, 22 nodal officers were appointed on the new directives of the HC. This includes two officers from each district.

According to the fresh guidelines, once a complaint is registered, the council has to complete the verification process of the illegal clinic or doctor in a maximum of 72 hours. The medical practice of a fake doctor will be immediately terminated and such a clinic would be shut.

“The raids were conducted in Sangam Park and Sawan Park areas in northwest Delhi. In one clinic which is facing closure order, a man who is a class 10 pass-out was dispensing allopathic medicines to patients.

There will be a review inspection after a few weeks to check if the clinics have reopened,” said Dr Naresh Chawla, Nodal Officer, Anti-Quackery Cell, DMC.

Also, there are very few fresh inspections that are conducted by the Delhi government. Most of the raids conducted are on the basis of complaints received the department.  
The DMC is planning to hold a workshop to sensitise people on the need for ‘right medical treatment’.

“A workshop will be held on October 25 in which we will invite doctors, advocates and the media, so they can spread the message that unsafe options like quacks need to be done away with in the city,” said Dr Anil Bansal, Chairperson, Anti-Quackery Committee, DMC.