Four ‘fake doctors' held in crackdown across Assam
2
3
Guwahati: A total of four "fake doctors" playing with the lives of common people were apprehended in Assam in the last 72 hours in a crackdown against unauthorised medical practitioners, officials said on Thursday.
One "fake doctor" is currently absconding, and a manhunt is on to arrest him.
While two arrests were made in Nagaon on Tuesday, two more were arrested in Jorhat on Wednesday after an anti-quackery and vigilance officer of the Assam govt, Dr Abhijit Neog, lodged FIRs against them. All of them are residents of Assam. They were arrested for criminal breach of trust, endangering public safety, and cheating under BNS, and various sections under the NMC Act 2019.
All four have been sent to judicial custody after being produced in local courts.
Since the establishment of the anti-quackery and vigilance cell in Jan 2025, 10 fake doctors have been apprehended thus far in the state. Of the 13 FIRs lodged by the unit, ten suspects were arrested, one is absconding, and two cases are under investigation. The identification of such practitioners in Assam began approximately a decade ago, though their presence existed earlier.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
혈관 뻥~ 뚫는 ''이것'' 끈적한,, 콜레스테롤도 배출! "혈관 관리" 하나로도 충분하네요~
피로개선 끝판왕
더 알아보기
Undo
Including Dr Neog's personal efforts over the years, approximately 47 fake doctors were identified and arrested.
"The targets of fake doctors are from lower and middle-income groups in both rural and urban areas. Tea garden workers are more susceptible to fake doctors. Around 15 such doctors were arrested from tea gardens in the last few years," Dr Neog told TOI. These individuals successfully manipulate semi-literate people, who lack awareness about proper medical qualifications.
The anti-quackery and vigilance unit received information about individuals posing as doctors with unrecognised qualifications in Nagaon, Hojai, and Jorhat districts. "First, we conducted our own investigations and scrutinised the available documents and qualifications of these individuals. We realised that most of them did not have any requisite qualifications. Some produced fake MBBS graduation certificates, while others had degrees in unrecognised streams like alternative medicines," Dr Neog said.
After gathering evidence, FIRs were filed with local police stations. While one suspect from Doboka, Hojai district remains at large, the others were arrested. Bimal Sutradhar from Juria and Pankaj Das from Seconee tea estate in Nagaon were arrested on Tuesday. AK Gogoi and Amarjyoti Nath were apprehended from Jorhat on Wednesday.
Gogoi claimed to be a medicine specialist and ICU expert, while Nath said he specialised in Indian medicine but practised allopathic medicine.
Nath's qualifications are not recognised by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine. "Sutradhar claimed to be an expert in treating infants, but was a fake Ayurvedic practitioner without any medical degree or registration. On the other hand, Das lacked any recognised qualification," Dr Neog said.
Abdul Wahid, who is currently absconding, was under investigation by health services. Wahid claimed that he was an MBBS graduate from Chhattisgarh, but his claim proved to be false. "He claimed to be a neurologist with a diploma in ' Clinical Neurology' from a university in Rajasthan, which does not have medical colleges or medical education programmes," Neog added.
Wahid operated "ATS Health Polyclinic" in Doboka for over two years before authorities sealed it on July 4. He and his spouse are currently absconding.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
11 minutes ago
- Indian Express
India is exporting doctors and nurses. The country needs them too
The demand and supply of health workforce across countries continues to be a daunting problem, with most countries lacking adequate numbers of doctors and nurses and a projected global shortfall of 18 million health workers by 2030. Health workers migrate across countries, with the flow typically being from countries in the Global South to those in the North. The countries from which health professionals migrate are also those that face internal supply constraints. Sri Lanka, for instance, witnesses extensive outmigration, which is (partially) addressed by getting professionals from other countries. An estimated 10-12 per cent of foreign-trained doctors and nurses come from countries that are known to have a shortage of local healthcare workers. OECD data estimates suggest that between 2009 and 2019, 25 per cent to 32 per cent of doctors in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US were medical graduates from South Asia and Africa. Indian doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals migrate to countries across the world — almost 75,000 Indian-trained doctors work in OECD countries, and an estimated 640,000 Indian nurses work abroad. The Philippines is another example – the country is renowned for its large-scale export of nurses and other health professionals. Over 193,000 Philippines-trained nurses work abroad, constituting about 85 per cent of all Filipino nurses worldwide. Economics and geopolitics influence the extent and nature of such migration through a combination of push and pull factors. Limited career growth and lower wages are key economic push factors. Political instability and conflict in the source country are often political push factors. Trade agreements that encourage migration, health crises that pull health workers to some areas and international recruitment policies are all pull factors, which, in turn, contribute to shortages in source countries. Countries like the Philippines and India have formalised policies to encourage the export of health workers, viewing them as sources of remittances and economic benefit. Yet, both countries have an acute shortage of health professionals. Despite potential gains in the form of remittances and skill development, the loss of workforce capacity in countries already facing shortages outweighs the gains. What is needed, therefore, is a balanced domestic and international policy response that focuses on the needs of the individual, the national health system and global equity. Cross-country migration is often leveraged for diplomatic gains. India, already known as the pharmacy of the world, leverages such migration to foster international partnerships, promote economic gains through remittances and investments, enhance its global influence in health sectors, and manage the challenges of the brain drain through policies encouraging circular migration and bilateral cooperation. It enhanced medical diplomacy during the Covid pandemic by deploying medical professionals to neighbouring and African countries. What is needed now is a greater focus on negotiating more comprehensive — and enforceable — bilateral agreements between source and destination countries, which can potentially include compensation mechanisms, targeted investments in medical education, health infrastructure, or technology transfer, to offset the loss of skilled workers. The WHO code is a starting point in rebuilding such agreements. Ageing populations alongside declining birth rates are leading to growing demands and acute shortages of healthcare professionals in developed countries. India and other countries hold the potential to supply healthcare professionals. India could maximise gains through improved institutional mechanisms, such as establishing a centralised agency to manage workforce mobility. Kerala's experience with setting up agencies to coordinate overseas employment, address grievances, and support returnees can inform national approaches. So can the experiences of the Philippines' Department of Migrant Workers. Diplomacy or economic gains cannot override the workforce agenda of individual countries or take priority over the strength of their health system. Countries exporting health workforce could benefit from greater attention to building a cadre of health professionals, developing the health workforce industry and addressing the need for retaining professionals. This will require expanding the health education infrastructure and increasing its economic viability, improving working conditions and providing incentives to retain talent and encourage circular migration, rather than permanent outflow, leveraging digital tools to enable Indian health professionals to provide services globally, where possible, without physical migration, ensuring accountability of international agreements and exploring regional approaches towards enhancing production capacity such as jointly developed and owned mechanisms of workforce production. Amplifying regional voices could potentially increase the bargaining power of workers from developing countries. By combining investment in workforce capacity, strategic international agreements and policies that maximise economic, knowledge, and social gains, India and other southern countries can transform the migration of healthcare workers from a challenge into a multifaceted opportunity for national development. The rise of agencies in the Global South can mean that countries like the Philippines, Sri Lanka and India are active architects of workforce strategies that balance domestic needs and global engagement. They should be seen as not just exporters of workers or victims of the brain drain. Venkateswaran is commissioner, Lancet Citizens' Commission on Reimagining India's Health System and Monteiro is a researcher on Global Health
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
Shocking discovery: Common stomach bacteria may be linked to 12 million cancer cases
A startling new study has revealed that a common stomach bacteria could be responsible for nearly 12 million cancer cases among people born within a single decade. The bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), is already known to be a major cause of ulcers and chronic inflammation, but this new analysis, published in Nature Medicine, ties it directly to 76% of projected stomach cancer cases in those born between 2008 and 2017. Researchers estimate that 15.6 million people from this cohort will develop stomach cancer in their lifetimes, and H. pylori will be responsible for the majority of those diagnoses. Experts are calling for urgent global action to detect and eliminate this bacterial threat before it's too late. Cancer risks tied to H. pylori infection often go unnoticed in early years H. pylori is a spiral-shaped bacterium that typically infects the stomach lining in childhood. While most people show no symptoms, it can cause long-term damage by leading to ulcers, inflammation, and, ultimately, cancer in some individuals. The bacteria is primarily transmitted through oral contact—such as kissing—or through exposure to contaminated vomit or stool. Despite its global presence, it often goes undiagnosed for years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo Chronic infections allow the bacteria to silently alter the stomach environment, increasing cancer risk over time. Cancer burden expected to rise, especially in Asia and Africa The study, led by researchers at the World Health Organization 's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), analyzed global data from 185 countries. Their projections indicate that up to 11.9 million stomach cancer cases caused by H. pylori could be diagnosed by the year 2101, which is when the youngest individuals in the studied group turn 84. Asia will see the greatest burden with around 8 million cases, while Europe is expected to see nearly half a million. Alarmingly, sub-Saharan Africa—currently with relatively low incidence—may see a sixfold increase due to aging populations and demographic shifts. Early detection could prevent up to 75% of cases Although stomach cancer is difficult to treat in its later stages, it is largely preventable. Researchers urge governments to implement screening and treatment programs for H. pylori infections, especially in high-risk regions. Early detection and simple antibiotic regimens could dramatically reduce the future cancer burden. The study estimates that prevention efforts could avert up to three-quarters of projected cases. As Dr. Jin Young Park, one of the study's authors, emphasized: 'It is essential that health authorities make gastric cancer prevention a priority and accelerate efforts to control it.'
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Emergency surgery for Texas A&M's Reveille X sparks emotional fan response
Aggies send love as Reveille X recovers from emergency eye surgery (Image via Getty) Texas A&M's iconic live mascot, Reveille X, underwent surgery this week to have her right eye removed after veterinarians diagnosed her with glaucoma and discovered abnormal tissue. The 5-year-old Rough Collie, affectionately known as the "First Lady of Aggieland," was closely monitored by her Mascot Corporals before the university's veterinary team decided the procedure was necessary. The school confirmed the successful operation on Wednesday, easing the concerns of thousands of Aggie fans. Reveille is now recovering well and expected to return to mascot duties by fall. Glaucoma diagnosis led to urgent decision According to Texas A&M, Reveille's eye had shown signs of 'cloudiness and discomfort,' prompting a check-up at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. After further evaluation, abnormal tissue was discovered, and the surgical team chose to remove the eye 'out of an abundance of caution.' In an official university release, Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III said, 'I'm grateful to report that Miss Rev has come through the surgery successfully, has been discharged and is resting comfortably.' The surgery was performed by experts at Texas A&M's highly ranked veterinary school, ensuring Reveille received top-tier care. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn more about Sterilization Using Autoclave Technology contentcuehub Search Now Undo Her caretakers will continue to monitor her recovery closely in the coming weeks. 'She will be back' — Reveille's duties to resume in fall Despite the surgery, Reveille's days of cheering from the sidelines are far from over. The university says she will resume full mascot duties once she recovers, including riding in her custom cart 'Rev Force One' and attending Aggie football games at Kyle Field. President Welsh reassured fans in his message: 'She will take a brief hiatus from engagements as she fully recovers, but you can expect Miss Rev to be back to enjoying all her favorite activities—cruising on Rev Force One, attending classes, cheering on the Aggies and being loved and cared for by her Aggie family.' Reveille X, who became the official mascot in May 2021, is the 10th collie to represent the Aggies since the tradition began in 1931. Her status as Cadet General and symbolic leader of the Corps of Cadets highlights her importance in university culture. Fans and former students send Reveille their love Social media exploded with heartfelt messages from alumni, students, and dog lovers. From Instagram comments to alumni posts, Aggies rallied around the collie who's more than just a mascot—she's a living legacy. Many shared stories of meeting Reveille at campus events and games, calling her 'the soul of Texas A&M.' The university summed it up best in its official statement: 'Reveille is not only a beloved mascot, she is family to the entire Aggie community.' Also read: Packers expose what's powering the NFL's historic boom in revenue and reach FAQs was Reveille X's eye removed? She was diagnosed with glaucoma, and during surgery, veterinarians found abnormal tissue, leading to removal of the right eye to prevent further health issues. did Reveille X become mascot? She took over in May 2021 after Reveille IX's retirement. She was born on Sept 5, 2019. Reveille return to football games? Yes. The school confirmed she will resume mascot duties in the fall, once fully recovered. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
