DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Jan 5: Ordinary MBBS doctors are posing as specialists  and cheating the people here.

According to a survey conducted by Dawn, a number of doctors are running unregistered clinics in violation of the orders of NWFP health director-general. The DG, in 2000, had ordered the registration of all the private clinics and clinical laboratories.

The doctors not only violate the rules but also claim to be specialists in urology, eye, cardiology, ENT and other fields, without displaying their professional qualifications on their signboards.

A doctor having a six-month diploma in cardiology from Ireland and currently a student in pharmacy department of the Gomal University is reportedly functioning as a cardiologist whereas a specialisation requires at least five years of study after MBBS. Such doctors are not registered as specialists with Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.