Gujarat authorities detain 38 suspected fake doctors

The Gujarat Health Department has concluded a 15-day statewide enforcement drive targeting unqualified medical practitioners. During the operation, 38 suspected fake doctors were apprehended, and criminal cases were registered against 35 individuals for allegedly practicing medicine without recognized qualifications.

Health Minister Pradip Pansheriya announced that 298 joint teams, consisting of health department personnel and police units including the Crime Branch and Special Operations Group, conducted inspections across various districts. Rajkot reported the highest number of cases with 17 individuals facing legal action, followed by Surat with nine, Gir Somnath with three, and Surendranagar with two.

To sustain these efforts, the government has established district-level committees comprising health officers, police personnel, and local administrative representatives. These committees are tasked with using intelligence to identify and raid unauthorized practitioners. Officials noted that some suspects closed their clinics and fled prior to the arrival of inspection teams, and efforts to locate them are ongoing.