Quackery thrives in Jammu

Quackery thrives in Jammu
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 16
Due to the lackadaisical attitude of the state government and nominal punishment for unregistered medical practitioners, the number of quacks is increasing in the winter capital with each passing day.

Presently, a number of quacks are practising in the city and that too on the busy roads, yet hardly any action has been taken against them. These quacks promise to cure all kinds of diseases with an assurance that their “miracle” herbs would cure the ailment, a commitment which most of the times remains unfulfilled.

A large number of quacks can be found in various localities of the city. They not only befool naïve and gullible people but also violate the law.

Though the administration has launched a drive several times to check the growing menace, it dies with the passage of time, resulting in the mushrooming of the illegal practice.

The law refrains them (quacks) from doing so, but it seems that the shortage of staff has been proving a major hurdle before the authorities.

Doctors are also in the favour of stopping this illegal practice, which increases the risk of the disease. “Various organisations have approached the authorities asking them to find a solution to this problem, but the menace is growing as no permanent solution could be found as yet,” says a doctor.

He adds that the authorities should immediately take some harsh steps so that innocent patients could be saved from exploitation.

However, officials of the Health Department say they are doing their duty and the noose would be tightened around the quacks in a short period.

Dr TK Moza, deputy director, health services (Jammu), says, “The practice is illegal and the department is keen to curb it. We have already started a campaign against it on the television. In the next step, we will start conducting raids and penalise those found guilty.”

Dr Moza further says the people must also support the department. “Public should be aware of these quacks and if they come across any such person, they should inform us, we will surely take action against violators,” he adds.