Bengaluru: Fake doctors under scanner after HC directive
What began as a stomach infection turned into a nightmare for 27-year-old Bhavani HS from Vajarahalli, south Bengaluru. With nearby hospitals short-staffed due to a holiday, she chose a small neighbourhood clinic for treatment. Instead of relief, her condition worsened with severe vomiting and abdominal pain. Two days later, she discovered the “doctor” she had trusted was not a qualified medical professional but a quack.
Bhavani’s ordeal is not an isolated case. Bengaluru, like many parts of Karnataka, has been grappling with the menace of unqualified practitioners running clinics and posing as doctors.
Quack treatment turns fatal in other cases
The dangers of unqualified practitioners are not new. In June, a six-month-old baby in Ramanagara died after a quack administered two injections for a cyst and prescribed nasal drops. Such incidents have alarmed health officials and prompted judicial intervention.
The Karnataka high court, taking note of the rising threat, recently directed the state government to intensify its crackdown on fake doctors.
Government’s crackdown on impostors
When the issue was raised during the recently concluded legislature session, health and family welfare minister Dinesh Gundu Rao revealed that 256 impostors had been caught across Karnataka last year, including 12 in Bengaluru.
The government shut down 89 illegal clinics, lodged four FIRs, and pushed nine cases into court. Rao added that nodal officers were now deployed in every taluk to identify violations under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act, 2007. Complaints are sent to the KPME registration and grievance redressal committee for further investigation and action.
Why patients fall into the trap
Despite the risks, many patients turn to quacks. Cost, convenience, and lack of awareness are the key reasons.
“How do we differentiate between genuine and fake doctors? We just visit our nearest clinic,” said Imran Ali, a resident of Shantinagar. He admitted to taking his mother to a doctor whose credentials were unclear.
Others cite affordability and approachability. “These doctors charge less than private hospitals and are not as rude as staff in government facilities,” Imran explained.
Bhavani herself admitted that her desperation clouded her judgment. “As I was in bad shape, I just walked into the clinic, which claimed the doctor was a family physician. Later, I learned he was notorious for giving fake medical certificates to students,” she said.
Quacks across Karnataka
According to official data, the highest number of quacks were identified in Kalaburagi (111), followed by Kolar (31), Chamarajnagar (22), Ballari (15), and Haveri (13).
Karnataka Medical Council president Yogananda Reddy pointed to systemic loopholes. “People are deceived by dropouts or nursing staff posing as doctors. The bigger issue is the nexus between these deceivers and established doctors or hospitals,” he said.
Official advice and accessibility push
Senior health officials have urged citizens to check for degree certificates and registration numbers before seeking treatment.
“This problem persists despite our vigilance. We’ve seen that when access to government hospitals improves, patients avoid such private clinics. Currently, we are ensuring a government hospital or primary health centre (PHC) is within 25 minutes’ reach from most places,” said Sivakumar KB, commissioner of health and family services.
High court’s stern observation
In April, the Karnataka high court strongly criticised the state government’s inaction. “These quacks who project themselves as doctors are endangering innocent lives by opening clinics in rural and remote areas. It is incomprehensible how the state remains in blissful ignorance towards their proliferation,” the bench observed, ordering swift closure of such establishments.
Conclusion
Bhavani survived her brush with a fake doctor, but her case underscores a larger health crisis in Karnataka. The government’s crackdown, coupled with judicial pressure, signals that quacks may no longer operate with impunity. For patients, however, vigilance remains the first line of defence.