Fake Doctors Beware: Gujarat Cracks Down!

The Gujarat government has enacted amendments to the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, paving the way for stringent action against fake medical practitioners. As a new mandate, all medical practitioners, including those practicing Ayurveda, are now required to register with the state government. Health Minister Praful Pansheriya emphasized that strict measures will be taken against individuals operating without proper registration or possessing fraudulent degrees.

The recently amended Act also extends the registration period for clinical establishments. These establishments will be required to display boards detailing the qualifications of their doctors. This move aims to enhance transparency and patient safety, particularly in rural areas where some individuals have been found to consult unqualified practitioners for serious conditions like snakebites.

Data presented in the assembly reveals a significant number of complaints regarding bogus doctors. Between 2021 and 2023, a total of 2,724 complaints were lodged. Investigations confirmed that 169 individuals held fake degrees. In 2021, 839 complaints were filed, followed by 875 in 2022 and 1,010 in 2023, underscoring the persistent issue of unqualified medical practice.