Bhograi: With the launch of a massive crackdown by the West Bengal government on illegal nursing homes, many fake doctors engaged in these clinics have now started targeting people in Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts.
These ‘doctors’ have managed to lure gullible patients by putting up attractive sign boards at clinics that they have opened in both the border districts.
According to reports, three such illegal nursing homes are operating in Bhograi, eight in Jaleswar, five in Baliapal and four in Basta. Fake doctors from the neighbouring state are treating innocent patients putting the lives of the latter at risk, it was learnt.
Recently, the relatives of an expectant mother from Egra in West Bengal brought her to a nursing home at Neguan Chhak in Bhograi. However, the ‘doctor’ allegedly misbehaved with the woman and terminated her pregnancy. Locals protested in front of the nursing home following the incident.
It is not only Bhograi, such complaints are pouring in from other areas of Balasore district, a report said.
Locals raised questions about the silence of the administration and health department over the issue.
Chief district medical officer Vivekananda Das said there are 20 licensed nursing homes in the district while 10 others have applied for license.
The illegally-run nursing homes would be sealed soon and cases of exploitation of patients and misbehavior with women patients would be probed, Das added.
Despite a growth in number of patients, there is no improvement in quality of healthcare service and infrastructure including. Shortage of doctors and nursing staff adds to the problem.
In this scenario, many patients face a lot of troubles in urban areas whereas fake doctors are exploiting patients in rural areas.
There are several instances when people lost their lives after being treated by such ‘doctors’.
PNN
