Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Nov 15: The health department of Karnataka has launched a significant crackdown on fake doctors or quacks, identifying 623 practitioners operating without proper credentials. Most of these fraudulent doctors have been found in the districts of Kolar, Vijayapura, and Tumakuru. In response, the department has formed specialized teams to conduct raids on clinics and laboratories, inspecting records and certificates to root out impostors.
To deter such practices, the health department has implemented strict penalties: first-time offenders face fines of Rs 25,000; repeat offenders can incur fines of up to Rs 2.5 lac and receive one year of imprisonment. For those caught a third time, the penalties escalate to Rs 5 lac and three years of jail time.
In a statement highlighting the seriousness of the issue, the health department emphasized the need for regulatory compliance among medical practitioners. Allopathic doctors must be registered under the Karnataka Medical Council (KMC) or the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act (KPME). Likewise, practitioners of AYUSH medicine must hold registration with the relevant boards. Operating without such credentials is considered fraudulent.
The department's ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal medical practices have also led to the closure of over 2,000 fake clinics and laboratories across the state. Officials conducted these raids in the wake of rising concerns about public health and safety.
Data reveals that there are no districts in Karnataka entirely free of fake doctors. In the recent crackdown, 115 fake practitioners were found in Kolar, 84 in Tumakuru, and 81 in Vijayanagara. Other districts, such as Kalaburagi, Dakshina Kannada, and Udupi, have also reported incidents, with 64, 17, and 3 fake doctors identified, respectively.
Following the revelation of female feticide cases in the state, the health department has intensified its vigilance regarding fake medical practices. Chetan from the Prgathi social organization remarked that if the department had acted sooner, it could have prevented many issues. He advocated for sending highly compensated officials into the field rather than keeping them in offices.
Health department data (September 2023 to September 2024):
Total registered doctors: 35,123
Identified fake doctors: 623
Notices issued: 163
Fake clinics closed: 193
Equipment seized: 142
Cases with imposed fines: 89
Doctors facing legal action: 36