In the last one year, the Karnataka Ayurvedic and Unani Practioners' (KAUP) Board has detected 2,896 quacks and shut down at least 2,669 fake clinics. In 227 cases, FIRs have been filed and the cases are in court.
Dr Thimmappa Shettigar, Registrar, KAUP, said the quacks manage to get certificates from unrecognised institutions. Once they have the certificates, they use them to prescribe allopathic medicines and administer injections and intravenous fluids. This is a matter of concern, he said.
Fake certificates
“These quacks get fake certificates to practise ayurveda. With these certificates, they go on to practise allopathy. A big mafia is behind this. Certificates are issued for cash. Most quacks who have been booked are migrants from UP, West Bengal and Bihar,” he said.
Dr Shettigar said the KAUP was formed in 2011 and since then officials have routinely conducted inspections, which have helped detect the quacks.
But what remains appalling is that no quack has been convicted or found guilty, said Dr Sathya Moorthy Bhatt, president, KAUP Board Karnataka.
“We have an Act in place using which frequent offenders can be imprisoned. But it is unfortunate that due to lack of coordination and will among the police, the public prosecutors and other departments, no quack has been convicted. They either bribe the police or the district health officer and go scot-free,” he said.
Giving an example, he said in Gubbi taluk, Tumkur, there is a person with expertise in ANM (Auxiliary Nursing & Midwifery). But he is practising in the guise of a doctor. Despite our efforts to prosecute him, the ANM has managed to survive, he said.
Quackery is thriving and mushrooming in Karnataka mainly in rural areas where there is a shortage of qualified doctors.
“In the absence of a qualified doctor, it is natural for people to visit quacks who have managed to win the trust of the people. Even if a person has died due to wrong medication in these areas, due to ignorance, nobody will question the quack’s treatment,” Dr Bhatt added.
Mere assurance
Despite approaching various heads, including the chief minister, for action against the quacks, only assurances are given. The High Court has formed a committee to look into the cases against fake doctors.
The Board, through the Directorate of Ayush, has sought an amendment to the Karnataka Ayurvedic, Naturopathy, Siddha, Unani and Yoga Practitioners Registration and Medical Practitioners Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1961, which aims to hike the penalty amount for repeated offenders from Rs 1,000 to Rs five lakh, along with imprisonment for two years.