Bengaluru: In a decisive step to curb illegal medical practices, the Karnataka government has issued a strict directive against quacks and unlicensed clinics operating across the state.
A circular released by the Health and Family Welfare Department in coordination with the Department of Ayush outlines stringent measures to safeguard citizens from the dangers of unqualified medical treatment.
Key Provisions of the Circular
- Only registered practitioners from recognised medical councils — allopathy, ayurveda, and homeopathy — are permitted to practice in Karnataka.
- Impersonating a doctor without valid registration will attract a fine of up to ₹5 lakh and imprisonment of up to three years for repeat offenders.
- All clinics and health centres must be registered under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act. Non-compliant centres may face closure and fines up to ₹50,000.
- District-level special task forces comprising deputy commissioners, senior police officers, district health officers, Ayush officials, social workers, and legal experts have been formed to monitor compliance. These teams must submit monthly reports to the state government.
- Under the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, fake clinics without registration will face strict action from monitoring committees involving the Health Department, State Pollution Control Board, local authorities, and the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
Enforcement Mechanism
To streamline action, District Family Welfare Officers and Hospital Quality Managers have been designated as nodal officers to ensure proper implementation of biomedical waste rules and compliance with medical practice regulations.
Context
This crackdown comes amid a surge in reports of unqualified individuals providing unsafe medical treatment in different parts of Karnataka. By enforcing strict penalties and empowering local task forces, the government aims to curb quackery and strengthen public trust in the state’s healthcare system.
