Cleanse state of quacks, SC directs UP Govt

Cleanse state of quacks, SC directs UP Govt
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, APRIL 30: The Supreme Court has severely criticised the Uttar Pradesh Government for its inaction to stop the "menace" of quacks in the state and directed it to identify and take action against all unauthorised medical practitioners in a time bound manner.

A division bench comprising Justices S Rajendra Babu and S N Phukan, while giving its verdict on a public interest litigation, said the District Magistrate and the Chief Medical Officer have done precious little to rid the state of the menace despite state government's directive to initiate action against unauthorised practitioners.

"It is distressing to note that inspite of the above direction of the state government, the district magistrate and the chief medical officer did not take effective steps to stop this menace which is hazardous to human life," it said.

Though the PIL sought direction to the state government to prosecute quacks in Agra district, the bench felt "unless directions are issued in respect of the entire state of UP, the problem cannot be solved."

Justice Phukan, writing the judgement for the bench, said "The Secretary, health and family welfare department, shall take such steps as may be necessary to stop carrying on medical profession in the State of Uttar Pradesh by persons who are unqualified/unregistered."

The Court said the Secretary, after fixing a time limit, would direct all district magistrates and the chief medical officers of the State to identify all unqualified/unregistered medical practitioners and to initiate legal action against them immediately.

The Secretary would also give due publicity of the names of such quacks or unregistered medical practitioners so that people do not approach them for medical treatment, it said.

"He shall monitor the actions taken by all district magistrates and all chief medical officers of the State and issue necessary directions from time to time to these officers so that such unauthorised persons cannot pursue their medical profession in the State," Justice Phukan said.

The petitioner, D K Joshi, had filed a PIL in the Allahabad High Court for initiation of action against unregistered medical practitioners in Agra district but the High Court had dismissed the petition observing that chief medical officer would complete the inquiry into it. Joshi had appealed against this order in the Supreme Court.

Indian Medical Council, the Supreme Court observed, had informed the State of the problem and emphasised that these persons were openly playing with the health of public.