Guwahati: The Assam health department has asked the district health authorities to visit the doctors’ chambers across the state to check their qualifications and submit an action taken report by June 15. The development took place after a PIL was filed in Gauhati high court seeking the ‘survey’ of all allopathic doctors in the state and to assess whether they possess the required qualification.
Guwahati-based medical practitioner and whistleblower Dr Abhijit Neog had submitted a writ petition before the Gauhati high court last month, praying for directing the respondent authorities to establish a proper mechanism to ascertain the qualifications of the persons practising modern medicine in the state. It also urged to identify such persons who are practising modern medicine without the requisite qualifications. The petitioner pleaded before the court for directing the state health department to conduct a ‘survey’ of all the allopathic doctors in Assam.
Following the PIL, the director of health services, Assam, has directed the district joint directors of health services to conduct one meeting of the District Registering Authority urgently. The body would suggest points of setting up of a proper mechanism to identify and weed out quacks and also to ensure that such persons are not allowed to practise modern medicine. Anti-quackery units and dedicated helpline numbers to stop such unethical practices may soon come up in the state, said the health department sources.
The joint directors have been requested to inspect the doctor chambers in their respective districts with at least three members of the District Registering Authority and submit the report to the director by June 15.
The petitioner also prayed before the high court for directing the respondent authorities to create an online database of doctors, practising within the state, which is accessible to the public at large. He further sought initiation of appropriate legal proceedings against those who are practising modern medicine illegally.
The writ petition came up for hearing before the high court on May 12. Admitting the PIL, the high court directed the respondent, state health and family welfare department to obtain instructions as to the grievance of the petitioner.
Nearly 30 fake doctors have been apprehended in Assam in the last five years, based on complaints filed by Neog. These fake doctors used to practise in urban as well as rural parts of the state.
