Gujarat cracks down on fake doctors; 35 booked
Gandhinagar: Gujarat authorities have detected 38 suspected unqualified medical practitioners during a 15-day enforcement drive across the state, with criminal cases registered against 35 of them for allegedly practising medicine without recognised qualifications.
The operation was carried out by 298 joint teams comprising Health Department personnel and police officers, including members of the Crime Branch and Special Operations Group (SOG). Inspections were conducted in several districts, including Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot.
Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said Rajkot recorded the highest number of suspected fake doctors, with 17 identified during the campaign. Surat accounted for nine cases, followed by Gir Somnath with three and Surendranagar with two. The remaining seven were detected in other districts, with one case reported from each.
The government has also established district-level committees involving health officials, police personnel and local administrative representatives to identify unauthorised practitioners and monitor their activities. The committees will coordinate field inspections and gather information about individuals providing medical treatment without the required credentials.
During the crackdown, officials found that some suspected practitioners had closed their clinics and left before inspection teams arrived. Police and health authorities are continuing efforts to locate them and pursue legal action.
Pansheriya said the enforcement campaign would continue beyond the festival season, with the government seeking to prevent unqualified individuals from providing medical services.
The Health Department has urged residents, non-governmental organisations and community groups to report suspected cases to nearby police stations, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres or SOG units.
The minister also advised people to seek treatment from qualified medical professionals, warning that procedures carried out by untrained practitioners could result in serious complications and endanger patients' lives. He pointed out that government healthcare facilities offer free treatment, medicines and diagnostic services.
With IANS inputs