Lucknow: The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Uttar Pradesh unit, has expressed concerns that many patients in the state
initially seek treatment from unqualified practitioners before consulting registered medical professionals, which compromises patient safety.
Doctors pointed out that the issue is more prominent in
rural areas and among economically weaker sections. Providing accessible as
well as affordable healthcare in those areas might be helpful in reducing their
reliance on quacks for treatment. Also Read:Lucknow: MBBS student dies by suicide allegedly after failing 1st year examsSpeaking to Medical
Dialogues, IMA UP president Dr Rajeev Goel stated that though they have no
official record, almost four out of ten patients still turn to quacks as
their first point of medical care. The proportion is believed to be even higher
in rural and semi-rural regions, particularly in areas on the outskirts of
cities such as Lucknow.
The IMA also urged the
government to take strict measures against medical stores that sell potent
medicines without valid prescriptions, noting that such practices contribute to
unsafe treatment and misuse of drugs. Dr Goel further stated, “The quacks do not
always give prescriptions; sometimes they write the name of a piece of paper, and
the medical shops, relying on the handwriting, sell the medicine to the
patient. This is risky and needs to be stopped. There are laws, but enforcement
is weak because they find out illegal ways of elaborately carrying on the
scheme.”
Most patients are from
rural or semi-rural areas and economically weaker sections, and they are more susceptible
to such frauds. Accessibility and affordability are the main reasons. In many
areas, qualified doctors or govt facilities are far or overcrowded. Quacks are
easily available, charge less initially, and gain people’s trust. They go to
save time and money, but it leads to complications later,” Dr Manoj K
Asthana, president, IMA Lucknow branch, told Times of India. “Most patients come
with aggravated problems. Typhoid patients, for instance, often receive
incomplete or wrong initial treatment, making the infection more severe by the
time they reach a proper facility,” said Dr Shweta Srivastava, secretary,
IMA Lucknow branch.
Doctors pointed out that
previously quacks could easily give treatment to patients without proper
registration because of a lack of a structured system, but then, following the
directions of the apex court, the National Medical Commission has introduced
formal procedures to complete and structure the registration process.Also Read:Maharashtra steps up action against unregistered nursing homes, bogus doctorsHowever, the doctor
pointed out that the process is tedious with repeated documentation and
inspection. Currently, the state government has increased the validity of the
registration to 5 years to ensure a smooth administrative system, and quacks are
taking advantage of the situation. Though the government is conducting raids on
illegal clinics and diagnostic centres, it is not enough to keep up with the
menace of quackery. “Regular drives are being carried out. If anyone has
information, they can contact the health department. Their identity will be
kept confidential,” said Dr AP Singh, additional chief medical officer.