Quacks to be taken to task

The Delhi government has set up a special task force to check the increasing numbers of quacks or 'pseudo doctors' in the capital. The matter had been on top priority with the Health Ministry since two people who allegedly were given wrong treatment by quacks went on an indefinite hunger strike. The Chief Medical Officer of the Anti-Quackery cell of the Directorate of Health would be the nodal officer of the task force. The force consists of representatives of the Delhi Medical Council, Council of Indian Medicine, Homeopathic Medical Board, Drug Control Department and the Delhi Police. The Health Minister Dr. A.K. Walia urged the public, especially the resident welfare associations of residential areas to report the activity of quacks in their area. An exclusive telephone number in Delhi, 3328143, for the complaints has been instituted. On receipt of a complaint, the special task force will raid the sex clinics run by quacks. Chemists selling medicines without bills and prescriptions from qualified practitioners would also come under scrutiny. Two people have been on an indefinite hunger strike after their relatives suffered due to negligence by quacks and no action was taken against the latter. One person's wife contracted peritonitis after an abortion procedure went wrong. A young woman also lost her life because of wrong treatment. However, no action was taken by any authority against the culprits. All medical practitioners in Delhi have to be registered with the Delhi Medical Council, but this rule is sometimes flouted but goes unnoticed. The task force may be a positive step towards alleviating the menace of quacks in Delhi.

COMMENT