Guwahati: As the medical fraternity marks National Doctors’ Day on Wednesday, quackery and unethical medical practices continue to plague healthcare in Assam.Officials said fraudulent treatment often delays proper care, with many patients reaching qualified doctors only after their condition worsens.The Assam Anti-Quackery and Vigilance Cell has intensified its drive, registering 92 FIRs since its formation in January last year. More than 62 fake doctors have been arrested for allegedly practising without qualifications recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Investigators said many posed as specialists, super-specialists and general practitioners.Officials said some accused claimed expertise in obscure fields such as “Lifestyle Medicine” and “Wellness Specialists” after completing short online courses from institutions not recognised by the NMC or the University Grants Commission (UGC).Dr Abhijit Neog, vigilance officer at the anti-quackery cell under the Assam Council of Medical Registration, said, “After wrong treatment by quacks or fake doctors, they refer the patients to govt hospitals and other private sector hospitals. Sometimes they come in a serious condition and even die. But the blame falls on the genuine doctor, and the fake doctors or quacks escape. It’s a big concern as we celebrate National Doctors’ Day.”Among the cases unearthed by the cell was an individual allegedly performing a caesarean section at a private hospital in Silchar last year before being apprehended.“They were posing as gastroenterologists, rheumatologists, dermatologists, ophthalmologists, obstetricians etc and spread all over — from tea gardens to remote hilly and rural areas as well as urban areas like capital Guwahati,” Neog added.The cell also summoned nearly 40 registered medical practitioners for allegedly presenting themselves as specialists without recognised and registered additional specialist qualifications. Many appeared before the cell and were instructed to stop the practice. They were also directed to remove misleading signboards and update stationery, letterheads and visiting cards.With assistance from Assam Police, the cell has apprehended four more fake doctors in recent days from different parts of the state. All have been remanded to judicial custody.CM Sarma reiterated the govt’s resolve to eliminate quackery. “After extensive crackdown on the drug syndicate & child marriage offenders, we’re on a mission to crack down on quack doctors to ensure the sanctity of our healthcare system & protect patients,” he wrote in a recent social media post.
