MUZAFFARGARH: Hundreds of quacks are working across the district, spreading diseases and increasing medical complications among the patients who visit them due to lack of awareness while the health department has shut eyes to their illegal practice.

They sell herbal as well as allopathic medicines without any diploma or licence.

Irshad of Bet Mir Hazar runs a herbal clinic in the city and claims that he can cure all diseases.

Talking to Dawn, he says his forefathers had expertise in herbal medicines and they transferred their knowledge to him, adding he has never been to any institute. Showing a pill, he claims that it can be used for treatment of stomach problems and body feel weakness.

He gives suspension and powder for treatment of diarrhea, adding his family has prepared a herbal powder and syrup which will keep people cool in the summer.

A health official says the quacks work mostly in villages and they refer the patients to the basic health units or hospitals after the patients’ condition deteriorates. He claims people consult quacks because some of them offer treatment without charging any fee and they take wheat at the end of harvesting season once a year.

PMA Punjab former president Dr Mehr Iqbal says the quacks are spreading various diseases and looting the uneducated people, asking why the people visit quacks when the government gives the facility of free treatment at all the hospitals, rural health centres and basic health units.

Dr Muhammad Imran says many patients develop serious complications due to wrong medicines. He demands the government take action and launch an awareness programme to inform the patients about the hazards of medicines given by quacks.

District Health Officer Dr Wamiq claims his department is taking action against quacks. He says the non-government organisations (NGOs) should help the government raise awareness among the public.

District Coordination Officer Hafiz Shaukat Ali says the administration will start action against the quacks after the Jashn-i-Baharan.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2015

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