12th pass 'doctor' busted, others continue to operate

Sikder, a “Bengali doctor” has passed away but his wife continues to run the clinic at Rajoukri in New Delhi district and draw patients. An inspection team recovered allopathic medicines, injections and pregnancy test kits from the clinic on Friday. 

Rupa, popularly known in the area as “Mrs Bengali doctor”, holds no medical degree, fled the spot before the team arrived on receiving a tip-off.

“The evidence from the spot points out that she was also into conducting illegal abortions. The medicines and injections were not properly stored either. We have issued a closure notice on spot and the landlady of the building from which the clinic is being run has been also alerted of the illegal activities,” said Dr Anil Bansal, Delhi Medical Council member and a member of the inspection team.

Three illegal clinics were handed over closure notices on Friday. The chief District medical officer (CDMO) had received complaints against eight clinics in Rajoukri, Mahipalpur and Rangpuri.

What was found more alarming was an illegal doctor in Rangpuri prescribing second-line drugs for tuberculosis to patients suffering from cold and cough.

“Drugs for tuberculosis are being unscrupulously prescribed. This is making poor patients in the fringes of Delhi resistant to these drugs,” said Dr Bansal.      
 Most of the illegal clinics are being run by repeat offenders. Despite being handed over illegal notices earlier, the clinics continue to thrive. Patients in these areas are unaware of the so-called doctors not holding valid degrees and continue to go to them for treatment. 

In Mahipalpur, a clinic was being run by one Shanti, a class 12 pass-out. The woman claimed the doctor who runs the clinic was out of town. 

“On earlier occasions also, she had made similar claims. A few steps away another clinic is being run by a compounder who also claimed that the Ayurvedic doctor was away. We have handed over closure order in the first case and asked the Ayurvedic doctor to report with documents. If they continue to run the clinics, an FIR will be registered in the case,” said Dr Bansal.