The police on Saturday arrested a pharmacist of a primary health centre on the charge of quackery.
Nagarajan (49) was found to be running a clinic very close to the Government primary health centre at Kasipalayam village. But, this came to light after the girl child he treated died.
The police said a complaint from N. Jayamani, mother of 13-month-old Anu Shree, led to the arrest of Nagarajan. Ms. Jayamani of Pallampalayam village said in her complaint that she took her child to Nagarajan on September 15 as the child was suffering from fever.
It was alleged that Nagarajan gave the child an injection. Anu Shree’s condition worsened and the mother took the child to a private hospital in Gobichettipalayam, where the doctors pronounced her dead.
Later, Jayamani and her family found that Nagarajan was only a pharmacist working at Kottupullampalayam primary health centre. Jayamani lodged a complaint with Kadathur police, who arrested Nagarajan.
The police said Nagarajan, who claimed that he was a doctor working at the Kottupullampalayam primary health centre, had a thriving business in Kasipalayam and neighbouring areas. Further investigation is on.
The Health Department placed Nagarajan under suspension. “Criminal action will be initiated against paramedical personnel working at government hospitals and the primary health centres, if they are found indulging in quackery,” Deputy Director of Health Services C. Sekar said.
