Several illegal clinics sealed in Ballari district

The District Health authorities have sealed the clinics of several individuals found practising medicine without valid medical qualifications at different places in Ballari district, District Health and Family Welfare Officer Yalla Ramesh Babu said on Thursday.

In Ballari city, a clinic run by a man identified as Biswas near Kolmi Chowk on Mullangi Sanjeevappa Street was sealed after it was found that he was treating patients by falsely projecting himself as a qualified physician without possessing any recognised medical degree.

The action followed complaints from members of the public, officials said.

In another case, a clinic in Kudatini village run by M.D. Gous was also sealed. The official said that the individual studied only up to Class 10 and was providing treatment after gaining informal knowledge about medicine, without any authorised medical qualification.

Another clinic, MG Clinic at Sirivara village in Ballari taluk, run by Prakash, who holds a BAMS degree, was sealed for violating the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act, the official added.

Dr. Ramesh Babu has urged the public to seek treatment only from doctors with recognised and authorised medical degrees, warning that treatment by unqualified practitioners can pose serious health risks.

He also advised people, particularly in rural areas, to verify the medical credentials of those practising as doctors.

People were also asked to report instances of unqualified medical practice to the District Health and Family Welfare Office, where action will be initiated under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act 2007.

Taluk Health Officer R. Abdulla, District RCH Officer Hanumanthappa, Health Inspector K.H. Gopal, RBSK counsellor Manohar and other medical staff were present during the action taken by the authorities.