25 ‘bogus’ doctors face action for practising without qualification

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Officials say the total number of cases of bogus doctors caught without adequate medical qualification has shot up. Last year, between January and July, only five bogus doctors were caught by civic officials. Realising a need for better co-ordination, the BMC then formed a dedicated committee in November last year. The seven-member committee, comprising BMC officials, the dean of JJ Hospital, the police commissioner, Crime Branch officials and representatives from various medical councils, now inspects doctors and checks their registration with the medical council concerned before ordering a raid.

So far, five wards have been screened, with 12 bogus doctors caught from M-East ward (Govandi), five from N ward (Vikhroli), three from K West (Andheri west) and five from E ward (Byculla).

Dr S S Palkar, deputy executive health officer at BMC, said, “Each team that raids has two police officials and a member from the health department. Those arrested are charged with cheating under the Indian Penal Code and with practicing medicine with a fake certificate.”
Civic officials have, however, admitted to have stumbled across a new modus operandi. Several field workers have complained that during day raids the clinics were found shut, which only open late at night.

mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com