Question : Unqualified Doctors

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken note of the findings of the World Health Organisation (WHO) report that a large number of doctors practising in India do not have necessary qualifications;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry/investigation in this regard and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;

(d) the details of cases registered against such practitioners; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to address the issue?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 280* FOR 5TH JANUARY, 2018


(a) to (e) The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) in its report on ‘Health Workforce in India’ has claimed that 57% of allopathic doctors in India do not have medical qualification. The report is erroneous since MBBS is the minimum qualification for enrolment as a registered medical practitioner in a State Medical Register to practice medicine, and hence all registered doctors have medical qualifications.

Section 15 of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 prohibits a person other than medical practitioner enrolled on a State Medical Register to practice medicine in the State. Since health is a State subject, the primary responsibility to deal with such cases of quacks lies with the respective State Government.

The Central Government, keeping view of the above, requested Chief Ministers of all the States to take appropriate action against quacks under the law and also to evolve suitable policies to ensure availability of quality health workforce in rural areas.

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