Dehradun: In a bid to curb illegal medical practices, the Uttarakhand government has launched a state-wide crackdown on unregistered medical practitioners, as well as unauthorised clinics and diagnostic laboratories, following mounting concerns over public health safety.
CMOs Directed to Verify All Practising Doctors
The state’s Medical Health and Medical Education Department has issued instructions to all District Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) to create comprehensive records of all doctors operating in their jurisdictions. The directive makes it mandatory that no medical practitioner—public or private—is allowed to practice without a valid or renewed registration with the state health department.
Order Backed by National Medical Commission Act, 2019
The order was issued by Health Secretary Dr. R Rajesh Kumar, who cited the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019, which mandates that only doctors registered with the relevant state authority are legally permitted to practice medicine in India.
“Medical practices without registration will not be permitted under any circumstances,” Dr. Kumar said, as quoted by The Statesman.
Transparency Push: List of Registered Doctors to Be Made Public
To ensure accountability, the Medical Council has been instructed to provide updated lists of all registered practitioners to district authorities. Names of individuals found practising without valid registration will be publicly disclosed.
“We’ve received multiple complaints regarding doctors practising without registration, raising serious questions about the quality of health services,” Dr. Kumar added.
Strict Action Against Non-Compliance
Officials have confirmed that disciplinary action will be taken against any individual or institution found violating the directive. The move is aimed at protecting patient rights and ensuring quality healthcare through regulation.
“This is not a mere formality. The government is committed to ensuring no unregistered doctor treats patients in Uttarakhand,” the Health Secretary emphasized.
Part of a Broader National Trend
The crackdown mirrors similar actions in states like Telangana and Assam, where health authorities have shut down illegal clinics and arrested quacks in recent months. The effort aligns with a national push to enforce medical registration and uphold healthcare standards.
