Fake doctors will face stringent action: U.T. Khader

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Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader said on Saturday (September 12) that stringent legal action would be taken against fake doctors and that District Health Officers (DHOs) and Taluk Health Officers (THOs) could also be held accountable if such practitioners were found operating in their jurisdictions.

Speaking to presspersons in Dharwad, Mr. Khader said an official order to this effect would be issued shortly.

“If a fake doctor is found during an inspection, the concerned DHO will be held responsible and action will be taken,” he said.

On the sale of tobacco products, Mr. Khader said the government had prohibited the sale of paan masala and gutka containing tobacco and nicotine. He urged people to remain aware of the health risks associated with tobacco and refrain from its use.

The Minister said the government was taking the issue of food adulteration seriously and that inspections were being carried out at various levels. Steps were also being taken to ensure that consumers were not misled at hotels and other food establishments.

He urged people to give priority to the quality and safety of food rather than the appearance of an establishment. Consumers should bring instances of poor hygiene or unsafe food practices to the notice of the authorities, he said.

Mr. Khader said a QR code system had been introduced to facilitate public reporting and that officials had been instructed to create awareness about the facility.

Responding to questions on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) action against Minister Satish Jarkiholi, Mr. Khader described it as part of what he termed “targeted politics”.

He alleged that a large proportion of ED cases were targeted at Congress leaders and many such cases were subsequently closed after the investigations found no wrongdoing.

Mr. Khader also alleged that similar action was not being taken against BJP leaders and said the issue had prompted public discussion. He said political targeting through investigative agencies was not desirable from the perspective of the future.

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