Assam arrests one in fake doctor crackdown
Guwahati
Authorities in Assam have recently arrested another fraudulent medical practitioner, highlighting growing concerns about quacks operating in the state. On Monday night, police detained Pankaj Choudhury from a private hospital in Silchar’s Ghungoor area. Choudhury allegedly presented a fake medical certificate from a hospital in Kazakhstan and a forged MD certificate. Officials are investigating how he managed to practice despite these false credentials.
This arrest follows a series of similar cases in Assam. In Kokrajhar, Anisur Rahman was arrested after joining the National Mobile Medical Unit using a fake MBBS certificate, despite only holding a homeopathy degree. In Silchar, two more individuals, Kamrul Islam and Tinku Mazumder, were taken into custody for posing as dentists after a complaint from the Indian Dental Association. Investigations are ongoing.
In Charaideo district, Abhishek Shah, employed at the Naharhabi tea estate hospital, was caught practicing as a fake doctor while also working in several pharmacies at Lakwa. His arrest was prompted by a complaint from the Anti-Quackery and Vigilance Officer of the Assam Council of Medical Registration.
The Assam government had set up an Anti-Quackery and Vigilance Cell in January to work with the police in tackling such fraudulent practices. The recent wave of arrests has raised serious concerns about public health risks posed by unqualified practitioners. Authorities have urged citizens to verify doctors’ credentials and report any suspicious activity immediately to prevent harm to patients and maintain trust in healthcare services.
