A surprising disclosure has emerged indicating that around 17,000 fraudulent doctors have been detected within the AYUSH department in Karnataka. Alarmingly, despite these findings, there has been no substantial action taken against them thus far. Border regions such as Belgaum, Bidar, and Kolar have recorded the highest incidence of such instances.
Belgaum is at second spot with 170 fraudulent doctor’s according to district-wise statistics. Kolar leads with 179, Dharwad is at third place with 70, followed by Shimoga with 74, and Tumkur with 59. Other districts with significant numbers include Kalaburagi (46), Mysore (54), and Chikkaballapur (45), among others. Even smaller districts such as Madikeri, Chamarajanagar, and Ramanagara have documented incidents.
Although district health officials are responsible for addressing these fake doctors under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment (KPME) Act, it seems that they are merely issuing notices to these individuals without subsequent enforcement. Despite the identification of numerous fraudulent practitioners, only a small portion has encountered legal repercussions, raising apprehensions about the rising prevalence of deceitful medical professionals.
One factor contributing to this increase is the improper use of registration numbers. When a doctor registered with the Karnataka Ayurvedic and Unani Vaidya Council (KAUP) either passes away or moves to another state or country, their registration should be invalidated. However, it has been discovered that certain fraudulent practitioners have obtained certificates using these revoked registration numbers.
The state has documented more than 1,700 instances of fraudulent practitioners across multiple disciplines, including allopathy, naturopathy, ayurveda, and homeopathy. There are accusations that certain fake doctors engage in activities that pose serious risks to life, such as performing unlawful abortions. Patients who visit these illegitimate clinics have allegedly experienced negative health consequences, with some fatalities reported.
To address this issue, strict punishments have been established for fraudulent practitioners. A initial violation may result in a fine of ₹25,000, while a repeat offense could lead to a penalty of ₹2.50 lakh along with a one-year jail term. For a third offense, the penalty rises to ₹5 lakhs and three years of imprisonment.
Dr. Vivek Dorai, Deputy Director of the Health and Family Welfare Department, informed Siasat.com that complaints against fake doctors have been filed in various districts, with some cases currently undergoing legal proceedings. He mentioned that district collectors are also taking proactive measures. The majority of these cases involve Ayush doctors. He noted that the increase in fake doctors is particularly noticeable in border regions. He added that when these practitioners anticipate trouble, they often flee to neighboring states. However, efforts are being made to collaborate with authorities in those states to facilitate their return for investigation, despite jurisdictional limitations.
