GUJRAT, Dec 9: Quackery is allegedly being patronized by some health officials in the district.

According to a survey, quacks have set up clinics in every busy bazaar and in every village of the district.

Many of them introduce themselves as practitioners of Unani medicine.

A majority of them claim ability to cure all sorts of sexual diseases.

Some also claim to be oncologists or experts in treating hepatitis and charge the patients heavy fees.

In the rural areas, quackery is more widespread and it is estimated that around 20 quacks are doing a roaring business in every village of the district with impunity.

Due to faulty prescriptions of these quacks, around 20 people have died in the district during the last five years.

Employees of the DHQ Hospital, Kharian THQ Hospital, Lalamusa Village Aid Hospital and Civil Hospital, rural health centres and basic health units run clinics in various parts of the district.

Doctors said they had treated patients whose cases had been complicated by quacks.

They urged the government to take steps to eliminate quackery.

An insider said, quacks pay Rs500 to Rs1000 monthly to some corrupt health officials.