Delhi Medical Council registers FIR against 13 illegal clinics

As part of its efforts to curb quackery in the national capital, the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) has filed FIRs against 13 illegal clinics operating in the city.
These clinics were being run by doctors who do not have proper degree or diploma in medicine to dispense allopathic medicines and thus posed a grave threat to the health of people.
"The raids were conducted in Sangam Park and Sawan Park areas of northwest Delhi in a joint operation by Delhi Police and chief district medical officers (CDMOs) as a part of the anti-quackery fortnight being observed by DMC since October 1," said Dr Girish Tyagi, Registrar, DMC.

He also cited example of one clinic (among the 13) which was being operated by a class 10 pass-out.
Tyagi said that intensive raids will be carried out in the city till October 15.
On seeking cooperation from police, Tyagi said that the main problem is that there is no anti-quackery law in the country.

The police says they do not know under which sections of the IPC they should take action when complained. As of now sections like 419 and 420 for cheating are being imposed in such cases.
The raids in the city are being conducted after the Delhi High Court directed the city police earlier this year to ensure that "no quacks are allowed to practice" in the national capital, saying that it affects the fundamental right to life of people.

The fresh guidelines issued states that if the council receives a complaint, it has to complete the verification process in a maximum of 72 hours.
According to the Delhi Medical Council, quackery in the city has swelled in the past one decade and every month they receive complaints against at least 30 quacks following which their degrees are verified.
Lack of awareness among people is also a reason because of which the illegal business is growing. Tyagi said that there are round 50,000 quacks operating in the city at present.