IMA UP flags safety risks as many patients turn to Quacks first

Doctors pointed out that the issue is more prominent in rural areas and among economically weaker sections. Providing accessible as well as affordable healthcare in those areas might be helpful in reducing their reliance on quacks for treatment. 

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, IMA UP president Dr Rajeev Goel stated that though they have no official record, almost four out of ten patients still turn to quacks as their first point of medical care. The proportion is believed to be even higher in rural and semi-rural regions, particularly in areas on the outskirts of cities such as Lucknow.

The IMA also urged the government to take strict measures against medical stores that sell potent medicines without valid prescriptions, noting that such practices contribute to unsafe treatment and misuse of drugs. Dr Goel further stated, “The quacks do not always give prescriptions; sometimes they write the name of a piece of paper, and the medical shops, relying on the handwriting, sell the medicine to the patient. This is risky and needs to be stopped. There are laws, but enforcement is weak because they find out illegal ways of elaborately carrying on the scheme.”

Most patients are from rural or semi-rural areas and economically weaker sections, and they are more susceptible to such frauds. Accessibility and affordability are the main reasons. In many areas, qualified doctors or govt facilities are far or overcrowded. Quacks are easily available, charge less initially, and gain people's trust. They go to save time and money, but it leads to complications later," Dr Manoj K Asthana, president, IMA Lucknow branch, told Times of India. “Most patients come with aggravated problems. Typhoid patients, for instance, often receive incomplete or wrong initial treatment, making the infection more severe by the time they reach a proper facility," said Dr Shweta Srivastava, secretary, IMA Lucknow branch.

Doctors pointed out that previously quacks could easily give treatment to patients without proper registration because of a lack of a structured system, but then, following the directions of the apex court, the National Medical Commission has introduced formal procedures to complete and structure the registration process.

However, the doctor pointed out that the process is tedious with repeated documentation and inspection. Currently, the state government has increased the validity of the registration to 5 years to ensure a smooth administrative system, and quacks are taking advantage of the situation. Though the government is conducting raids on illegal clinics and diagnostic centres, it is not enough to keep up with the menace of quackery. "Regular drives are being carried out. If anyone has information, they can contact the health department. Their identity will be kept confidential," said Dr AP Singh, additional chief medical officer.