Quack 'treating' patients for 20 years in Vellore district held

VELLORE: Police arrested a 42-year-old quack, who had passed only Class X, but was practising medicine for the past 20 years by setting up a clinic in his house in a village near Veppankuppam in Vellore district. The arrested was identified as S Narasimman from Mandhaiveli village in DC Kuppam in the district.

The district joint director (health) and rural welfare officer received complaints that a man without qualifications has been practising medicine, extending treatment to people by prescribing allopathic medicines at his house in Mandhaiveli village.

A team of health officials led by Anaicut government hospital assistant medical officer Jayanthi conducted a surprise raid at his house on Sunday and caught him red-handed while he was treating the patients. The medical team lodged a complaint with the Veppankuppam police.

Police booked Narasimman under different sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Indian Medical Council Act and the Clinical Establishments (registration and regulation) Act and arrested him. Police also seized medical equipment, medicines and other accessories from the illegal clinic.

Initial inquiries revealed that Narasimman had told the villagers that he was working as an assistant medical officer at Anaicut government hospital. He established the clinic at his house 20 years ago and started treating patients.