Quackery Crackdown: NMC directs State Medical Councils to appoint officers for taking action against quacks
New Delhi: Posing a threat to the sanctity of the medical profession and at the same time diabolically playing with the lives of the susceptible public, quackery is a growing menace in the country which keeps on mushrooming year after year. Under the facade of attractive advertisements and false qualifications claims, such miscreants dupe vulnerable patients, not only in their own operated joints but in renowned hospitals as well.
Hence, taking a big step towards eliminating quackery in the country, the NMC has now directed all State Medical Councils to appoint an officer who can file complaints before a court or any other authority concerned to take action against quacks.
A circular issued by the NMC on July 14 stated that as per the provisions of the NMC Act, 2019, the act of quackery and the medical practice by a non-registered/enrolled person is a punishable offence under section 34, reports PTI.
Provided that the Commission shall submit a list of such medical professionals to the Central Government in such manner as may be prescribed.
Provided further that a foreign citizen who is enrolled in his country as a medical practitioner in accordance with the law regulating the registration of medical practitioners in that country may be permitted temporary registration in India for such period and in such manner as may be specified by the regulations.
(2) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this section shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to five lakh rupees or with both.
Apart from the penal provisions under the Medical Council Act, the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) punishes quacks under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), Section 304 (Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Section 420 (cheating) and Section 416 (impersonation).
The Notification:
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