Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Health Department has launched a statewide crackdown on fake and unqualified medical practitioners, with 38 suspected fake doctors apprehended during a 15-day special mega drive. FIRs have been registered against 35 unauthorised practitioners, Health Minister Pradip Pansheriya announced.
The campaign was conducted under the guidance of Health Minister Pradip Pansheriya and under the supervision of senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rajiv Topno and Health Commissioner Ratankanvar Gadhavi Charan.
Sharing details of the operation, the minister said that 298 teams were formed across Gujarat to conduct intensive inspections over 15 days. The operation was jointly carried out by the Health Department and local police, including Crime Branch and Special Operations Group (SOG) teams, in Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot and other districts.
During the drive, 38 suspected fake doctors were apprehended, and legal action was initiated against 35 of them through the registration of FIRs.
Rajkot recorded the highest number of cases, with 17 fake doctors facing legal action, followed by Surat with nine, Gir Somnath with three and Surendranagar with two. The remaining cases were reported from other areas of the state.
The minister further stated that special district-level committees have been constituted in accordance with government directives and resolutions to curb the practice of unqualified medical practitioners. These committees are actively working on intelligence inputs and conducting raids against individuals practising medicine illegally.
The committees comprise Taluka Health Officers (THOs), Medical Health Officers, Police Sub-Inspectors (PSIs), police head constables, Multipurpose Health Supervisors, senior clerks from taluka health offices and the respective village or area Talati-cum-Mantris.
During the operation, authorities also found that some suspected practitioners had shut down their clinics and dispensaries before the joint inspection teams could reach them. The Health Department and police have continued searches and special surveillance operations to trace such individuals and bring them under the legal process.
Minister Pansheriya made it clear that the campaign against fake medical practitioners would continue with greater intensity even after Diwali and the festive season. He said the government was determined to ensure that no unqualified person could endanger the health of citizens anywhere in Gujarat.
The Health Department has also appealed to alert citizens, NGOs and local community representatives to report anyone suspected of practising medicine illegally without recognised qualifications. Such complaints can be reported to the nearest Primary Health Centre (PHC), Community Health Centre (CHC), police station or SOG.
The minister also highlighted that government hospitals, CHCs and PHCs provide free medical treatment, quality medicines and diagnostic laboratory tests. Citizens opting for private medical treatment have been advised to consult only registered practitioners holding recognised qualifications, including MBBS, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy or other government-approved medical qualifications.
He cautioned that seeking treatment from unqualified and unauthorised practitioners could cause permanent damage to patients’ health and even put their lives at risk.
