Even as anti-dengue operations across the district have gained momentum, the Department of Public Health has started cracking whip against the quacks, whose ‘medical assistance’ led to the death of patients suffering from the vector-borne disease.
When Minister for Public Health C. Vijayabhaskar held a review meeting here recently, he instructed the officials to act tough against quacks doing excellent business in Tirunelveli, Tuticoirn and Kanyakumari districts, but the ‘line of treatment’ adopted by these unqualified people caused a few deaths in these districts.
Subsequently, the Department of Public Health officials nabbed T. Leelambal and Jalaludeen, both quacks from Mullikulam and Kadayanallur respectively.
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According to S. Fathimuthu Sahara, Joint Director of Health Services, the illiterate poor families, instead of seeking medical assistance from a qualified doctor, were falling prey to quacks as they were charging less than the fee being collected in the hospitals.
The poor patients, without understanding the problems involved in the treatment given by quacks, were approaching them and suffering from a range of side-effects even though the ailment got cured for the time being.
“People should understand that those have got MBBS degree and registered themselves with Indian Medical Association as a qualified doctor alone could give effective medical assistance to the patients suffering from any disease. The patients should not receive allopathic treatment even from siddha, homeopathy or ayurvedha practitioners. If an unqualified person, including siddha, homeopathy or ayurvedha practitioner, gives allopathic treatment to his patients, the public may inform the government doctors nearby or the Joint Director of Health Services through 04633-280707,” Dr. Fathimuthu said.
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The Joint Director also warned the pharmacies against selling medicines without prescription given by a qualified doctor.
“Both the quacks and the pharmacists selling drugs without prescription will be arrested and legal action will continue against them,” Dr. Fathimuthu said.