Medical Associations are the key
Quacks posing as doctors has been a serious threat to the society and this threat becomes more serious in urban slums and rural parts of the country. An estimated ten lakh quacks practice allopathic medicine according to the Indian Medical Association (IMA). Quacks are not only the competitors of the doctors but also bring disrepute to the medical profession as a whole. Taking cognizance of the quacks in the medical profession in the country, National Medical Council (NMC) has taken the first giant step to eradicate the quack menace. NMC has asked all State Medical Council to appoint an officer who can file complaints before a court or any other authority concern to take action against the quacks. The circular of NMC alone would not yield any result until a coordinated effort is made by the NMC, State Medical Council and the Medical Associations. The Medical Associations should prepare a format approved by the National Medical Council for lodging a complaint against the quacks. The state chapters of these medical associations should circulate the complaint lodging format to all its members doctors and ask them to report any quacks in their vicinity to them. The member doctors of all the associations should actively participate in this drive by furnishing details in the prescribed format of the quacks in their vicinity. The medical association should file complaints with the officer of the state medical council mandated by the NMC for this purpose. The medical association should continuously follow-up with the officer of state medical council till necessary action as per the law is taking against the quacks. The medical farternity should not look this drive against quacks as means to increase their professional income but should consider the fact that complete eradication of the quacks menace is their contribution to the country in this platinum year of independence.
Dr. Bhushan Kedari
Editor