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Clinics’ closure gives quacks free rein

Charlatans operating despite lockdown, without any fear of raid, says PMA official


Sameer Mandhro April 03, 2020
KARACHI: Though Karachi remains virtually shut down during a pandemic lockdown, quacks in the metropolis seem little bothered by the grave situation. In fact, accounts from various citizens reveal that they have been cashing in on this opportunity to make more money.

Adding to their advantage is the closure of most clinics across the city, leaving many in densely populated localities of Lyari, Keamari, Machhar Colony, Mawach Goth, Korangi, Orangi Town, Ibrahim Hyderi and other neighbourhoods at the mercy of quacks.

This was confirmed by Sindh Health Care Commission (SHCC) head Dr Minhaj A Qidwai and affirmed by Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, who heads Pakistan Medical Association’s (PMA’s) anti-quackery squad and is the general secretary of the body’s Karachi wing.

“Quacks in the city have been running their setups without any fear of a raid by a government agency,” said Dr Shoro while speaking to The Express Tribune. “This is very dangerous for all of us,” he warned.

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According to the SHCC, over 100,000 quacks are operating in Sindh at present. However, the PMA contends that the actual number of quacks in the province is twice as much.

What’s for sure is that they exist in multitudes, have been operating without any hesitation and see the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic as a chance to further exploit citizens.

Muhammad, 56, who visited one such quack during the lockdown, said, “I had flu and went to a clinic [that I found was open].” He said that he was administered an injection and given some tablets.

Unaware of the potential risk to his health and life, as well as the severity of the newfound contagion, he said with a smile, “I am fine now.”

Muhammad Sajjad, a resident of Keamari, also shared his observation with The Express Tribune in this regard. “Some of these clinics have remained open in my neighbourhood,” he said, adding that though doctors were not present there, their assistants tended to patients.

“I see a number of patients visiting these clinics, as it is quite difficult to go elsewhere during the lockdown,” he explained. “There is no public transport and these clinics are all that is available.”

Lamenting the existing situation and slamming the SHCC for “not even sealing a single quack clinic” since the lockdown was enforced, Dr Shoro cautioned, “These clinics can actually be a source of spreading the virus.”

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Quacks had no knowledge of diagnosing and treating COVID-19 patients, he elaborated. “We need to take measures for boosting people’s immunity but these quacks [are more likely to] damage their immune systems.”

According to medical experts, the majority of quacks recommend anti-inflammatory drugs to patients showing the contagion’s symptoms.

Speaking in this regard, Dr Qidwai said the SHCC had limited resources and staff, due to which quack clinics had not been sealed. “But I understand the problem and we are trying to take action against them,” he added.

According to SHCC officials, around 4,000 quack clinics were sealed last year in Sindh.

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