Health department told to launch operation against quacks

Hyderabad commissioner wants photos of quacks displayed at police stations

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad division Commissioner Muhammad Abbass Baloch has asked health authorities to launch a decisive action against quacks, unregistered blood banks, pharmacies and dental clinics. "If these illegal activities continue, the district health officers (DHO) and drug inspectors will be held responsible," he warned at a meeting in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

"The photographs of quacks should be displayed at local police stations". Thousands of quacks have been identified in the nine districts of Hyderabad division and the commissioner assured of an unrelenting crackdown.



The commissioner, Health Director-General (DG) Dr Masood Ahmed Solangi and other officials at the meeting reckoned that quacks are primarily responsible for the spread of HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis and other blood transmitted viruses. According to the officials, beauty parlours, barbers and shops offering ear and nose piercing services besides sexual promiscuity were also spreading the viruses.

The commissioner directed health authorities to submit reports of their actions to his office after getting them certified by the deputy commissioners of their respective districts. He asked the health DG to increase the working hours of the outdoor patient department (OPD), which usually last till early afternoon, especially in rural areas. He acknowledged that the unavailability of doctors at government's health facilities for most part of the day leaves patients with no option but to approach quacks and private doctors.

The commissioner also directed health authorities to confiscate ordinary syringes, other than the auto-lock syringes, from all pharmacies and also warn pharmacists against selling the ordinary syringes. The meeting also decided to engage lady health workers and religious persons for creating awareness about prevention of HIV and AIDs. The government will also help organise awareness sessions in the villages.

According to Hyderabad DHO Dr Nasreen Memon, 195 new cases of HIV have surfaced in Hyderabad in 2019. The union councils, Hatri and Masu Bhurgari in Hyderabad's less developed areas, have been included in the red zone. The DHO said that so far, clinics of 52 quacks have been sealed in Hyderabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2019.