‘Fake doctors’ offering services at lesser cost pose risk to people’s lives in Kolar dt

KOLAR: Illegal clinics run by “fake doctors” are posing a threat to the people of the district, especially in the border areas adjoining Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. These fake doctors are allegedly prescribing pills and injections to those who are suffering from cold, cough and fever. Along with clinics, they have also set up labs for conducting blood tests, BP, sugar, and other tests.

A suspected fake doctor treating patients.

The demand for fake doctors is higher due to the consultation fees, and most of them do not have valid licences and are not even traditional healers.

Every year, the government spends crores of rupees on the healthcare sector. Free health insurance and other schemes are provided to people, but in some areas, people risk their lives by seeking treatment from fake doctors who use steroids.

A primary health centre in Tayalur, kolar district.

“There are 146 fake clinics in the district that are not registered under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Act (KPME). A notice regarding the same has been issued. Everyone is registering by following the guidelines. The licencing committee will decide licences based on eligibility. If the clinic is not eligible, then according to the direction from the district administration, the clinic will be shut down.”

“All allopathy doctors should be registered with the Karnataka Medical Council (KMC). Ayurvedic doctors should be registered with the Ayush board. If they haven’t registered, we won’t allow them to practise. Criminal cases will be booked against those who violate the rules.” said District Health Officer Jagadish.

Jagadish, district health officer.