THE GOAN NETWORK
BELAGAVI
In its initiative to control the quacks in the state, especially in the rural areas, Karnataka government will enforce stringent measures against unregistered medical clinics under the amended Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPIME) Act. Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao made this announcement on Monday during the Winter Session of the ongoing state Legislature at Belagavi.
Responding to a starred question by member Govind Raju in the Legislative Council today, the minister explained that the KPIME Amendment Act of 2017 mandates clinics to register under Section 5 to obtain a valid certificate for operations. Violations of these provisions will attract strict penalties.
To oversee compliance, a Registration and Grievance Authority has been established in each district under the 2007 KPIME Act, Section 4. This committee is chaired by the District Commissioner and includes the District Health and Family Welfare Officer (serving as Secretary), a district AYUSH officer, a member from the Indian Medical Association, and a woman representative.
Highlighting recent actions, the minister stated that since January 2021, authorities in Kolar district alone uncovered 134 fake clinics. Among these, 16 were sealed, 8 cases registered under the PC Act, 1 FIR filed, and 7 cases are under trial. Additionally, 102 clinics were shut down as part of ongoing enforcement efforts.
The minister emphasised the government's commitment to safeguarding public health and eradicating fake medical practices including the quacks across the state.
