Gujarat's health department has identified 38 suspected fake doctors during a 15-day statewide campaign against unqualified medical practitioners, and 35 FIRs have been filed, Health Minister Prabhu Panseriya announced in Gandhinagar on Tuesday, November 3.

Source: Daily Kiran

The drive was carried out by 298 teams formed by the health department, working with local police, the crime branch and the Special Operations Group (SOG), which conducted inspections across all districts of the state. The initiative was overseen by Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rajiv Topno and Health Commissioner Ratankawar Garhavi, the minister said.

Rajkot tops the list with 17 cases

Rajkot emerged as the district with the highest number of cases, recording 17 suspected fake doctors. Surat reported nine cases, while Gir Somnath identified three suspects and Surendranagar two, with the remaining cases reported from various other districts, taking the total FIR count to 35.

Source: NDTV (via Safir News listing)

Panseriya said district-level committees have been set up to identify and act against people practising medicine without valid qualifications. The committees, which act on information from local informants, include local health officials, police sub-inspectors, head constables, multi-purpose health supervisors, senior clerks from the taluka health office and village or area representatives.

Some suspects fled; drive to continue after Diwali

During the campaign, officials found that some suspected doctors had closed their clinics and fled before the joint teams arrived. The minister said the health department and police will continue searching for them and will initiate legal action.

The campaign will continue even after the Diwali festival, Panseriya said, urging citizens, NGOs and local representatives to report anyone suspected of practising medicine without proper credentials at the nearest primary health centre (PHC), community health centre (CHC), police station or SOG office. He urged the public to take treatment only from registered doctors with recognised qualifications, and reminded citizens that government hospitals and health centres provide free treatment, medicines and laboratory tests, while treatment from unqualified practitioners can cause permanent harm and risk patients' lives.