NEW DELHI: In a major crackdown on quacks operating in the city, the Delhi Medical Council recently issued notices to 16 fake doctors asking them to close down their medical clinics. These "doctors'' have been running a flourishing medical business in the city without a medical degree.

Copies of the letter issued to the quacks have also been sent to the area Deputy Commissioners of Police, Station House Officers and the Chief District Medical Officers to keep them updated of the situation.

According to an unofficial estimate, there are around 40,000 quacks operating in the city and despite sustained efforts by the DMC to curb the menace the problem persists.

"The Council had received information about some fake doctors running clinics and prescribing allopathic medicines to people. Notices were issued to all the 20 about whom complaints were received by the Council. Four people responded and the Council found that while two doctors were qualified two others had stopped their illegal medical practice after they received the notice. While one fled the city the other who was not even Class VIII pass gave in writing that he will stop practising medicine,'' said DMC member Anil Bansal.

According to reports, the Capital has over 20,000 doctors registered with the DMC, 4,000 ayurvedic practitioners registered with the Bharatiya Chikitsa Parishad and 1,000 homeopaths registered with the Homeopathy Board. Also if a medical practitioner is proved to be a quack in the court, he may be imprisoned for a maximum of three years and fined up to Rs. 20,000.

Now alarmed at the rising number of quacks and illegally run medical clinics, the DMC has written to the Delhi police and the Health Ministry asking for their co-operation to tackle the situation.

"While the menace was previously restricted only to slum areas in Delhi now clinics are opening up in large well-to-do residential localities including Dwarka. This is a dangerous trend as the population load here is much higher,'' added Dr. Bansal.

Earlier too the DMC had appealed to the Delhi police and the Chief District Medical Officers to help intensify their fight against such illegal doctors.

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