Unhealthy dormancy: ‘Too busy to conduct crackdown on quacks’

An intelligence report finds 68 quacks practicing in the federal capital and 145 in neighbouring Rawalpindi.

ISLAMABAD:

A recent report that highlighted the dangerous yet flourishing business of quacks in the federal capital, has failed to muster any prompt response from the district health department.

The report that was compiled by an intelligence agency found 68 quacks practicing in the federal capital, with 145 in neighbouring Rawalpindi. These quacks have been practicing in different areas of the city for years, with the health department seemingly oblivious.

The illegal practice is visible mostly in the outskirts of the capital, including Bhara Kahu, Golra, Shah Allah Ditta, Humak, Chatta Bakhtawar, Pind Bhagwal and Tarlai.

Official sources told The Express Tribune that only one drug inspector is assigned to the federal capital and even he is yet to formally take charge. The health department has still not taken any serious action on the issue, he added.

When asked about his notification, Sardar Shabir, who has been proposed as the drug inspector, said that without a confirmation he could not start work.

Moreover, not a single meeting has been held on this issue by the Islamabad administration so far. Although one was called by the chief commissioner last week, “it was deferred due to other engagements”, according to a city official requesting anonymity. He said that even the District Heath Officer (DHO) has been out of the city.

DHO Dr Muhammad Azhar said that he was out of town and got back to Islamabad on Monday and is now looking into the matter. “Currently, I have limited staff and it is difficult to formulate a comprehensive strategy,” he said. However, he promised to take action very soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 29^th, 2012.