Resubmit Report on Qualification of Fake Doctors by Feb 20: Orissa HC tells state

Cuttack: Dissatisfied with the State Government's affidavit regarding the verification process of the medical qualification of the allopathic practitioners in the State, the Orissa High Court has directed the State for filing a fresh affidavit within February 20.

The direction from the HC bench came after it took note of the fact that even though the State mentioned in the affidavit that the CDMOs have been directed for conducting the verification process, there was no mention about any timeframe for completing the verification process.

The High Court bench was considering a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA). The PIL alleged that several fake doctors were operating in the border regions of the State and providing treatment to the patients.

It has been alleged in the plea that these fake doctors do not have the required credentials for treating the patients. The PIL clarified that the conditions of the patients were getting worse because of erroneous treatment given by the fake doctors.

Medical Dialogues had last year reported that in order to ensure that all the allopathic doctors practicing in Odisha have proper and relevant qualifications, the High Court had directed the State Government for devising a comprehensive plan for undertaking a survey in this regard.

The HC bench of Chief Justice Dr. S. Muralidhar and Justice S.K.Panigrahi had further clarified in the order that the concerned survey should preferably be concluded within a period of six months.

Also Read: All allopathy doctors should have proper qualifications: Odisha HC orders survey to identify fake doctors

In this regard, the bench had also directed the Additional Chief Secretary of the State Health Department for filing an affidavit and specify in detail about the modalities of verification, the time frame for conducting the verification etc. The matter was listed for further hearing on January 27, 2023.

As per the latest media report by Orissa Post, even though the State Health and Family Welfare Department prepared an affidavit and submitted it to the HC bench, the court was displeased with the affidavit and therefore, it has asked the State for submitting a fresh affidavit on qualification of fake doctors within February 20, 2023.

In the affidavit, the State Health Department had stated that the CDMOs have been directed to conduct the verification process. However, it did not specify any timeframe for completing the verification process.

The High Court bench was disappointed with this and consequently, the HC division bench of Chief Justice S Muralidhar and Justice MS Raman was quoted stating by Odisha Bytes, "Since the affidavit is silent on the precise timeline for completion of the various steps involved in the exercise, a direction is issued that a supplementary affidavit be filed setting out the precise timelines within which the entire exercise will be completed."

The daily adds that Amicus Curiae Gautam Mishra has informed the HC bench that it had the information about such fake doctors operating in Malkangiri, Rayagada, Ganjam and Mayurbhanj districts. Referring to this, he gave suggestions regarding an online database of all medical practitioners in Odisha, which the general public can access to become sure about their genuineness.

While the HC bench recommended for implementing the suggestion of the amicus curiae, the State Health Secretary, Shalini Pandit assured the court that the online database will be created as part of the exercise for verifying the medical practitioners.

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