KARACHI:
A serious social concern that the Pakistani government hasn’t properly dealt with is that of quackery. Our government defines a quack as someone who pretends to be a healthcare provider without being registered with either the National Council for Tibb, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, the National Council for Homeopathy, or the Pakistan Nursing Council. Moreover, not many are aware that quackery is one of the leading causes of the increasing mortality rate in Pakistan. Researchers estimate that approximately 600,000 quacks are currently operating across the country.
Quackery is mostly prevalent in remote localities where there is lack of awareness and people are deprived of basic healthcare. Many people who reside far away from developed areas can’t afford or do not have access to healthcare facilities. This has urged them to travel to nearby cities and received treatment from non-licensed medical professionals. Many have no choice but to trust their local pharmacists. The harsh reality is that culprits are not caught. Therefore, illegal medical practices continue to be carried out unabated, risking the lives of people in the process.
The government must treat this issue seriously and introduce strict policy to curb such practices. They must deploy authorised physicians and provide adequate healthcare facilities to rural and far-flung areas. Furthermore, measures must be introduced to create awareness regarding such practices. Citizens must also take responsible and reach out to the police or the concerned department to report such cases.
Jodat Malik
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2021.
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