Clinic, chemist shop run by quack seized in Pulwama

SRINAGAR — A clinic run by an alleged fake doctor has been seized in southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday.

An official told the news agency KNO that the premises along with the chemist shop were seized after a self-styled doctor was seen treating patients in a video that went viral on social media.

He said that a video clip had surfaced on social media platforms on March 4 in which a person namely Firdous Ahmad is seen as a self-styled doctor prescribing medicines to the patient and in this regard, instructions were received from District Magistrate Pulwama to immediately take cognizance into the matter by constituting a special team for the purpose.

“Accordingly, a team in the presence of the Magistrate visited the premises of New Dastagiri Clinic near District Hospital Pulwama where Firdous had been shown prescribing medicines in the video clip,” he said.

He added that the team include Chief Medical Officer Pulwama, ADMO/District Nodal Officer, AYUSH/ISM Pulwama, Dr Iqbal Ahmad Kar (Nodal Officer Clinical Establishment AYUSH side), Dr Maajid Ahad, DNO (RBSK), CMO Office Pulwama Dr Humaira Tabasum (Medical Officer AYUSH) and Nisar Ahmad Ganie, Sr. Assistant from CMO’s Office Pulwama.

“During the course of the visit and inspection of the clinic, the team found the clinic was not registered and a person namely Firdous Ahmad (self-styled doctor) was treating patients and prescribing medicines to them without having any basic qualification/authority. In this regard, prescription pads written by Firdous Ahmad (self-styled doctor) and CCTV footage along with the equipment as a matter of evidence were also seized by the team members in the presence of the Magistrate accompanying the team,” he added.

He further added that the premises along with the chemist shop were also seized in the presence of the Magistrate and further enquiry into the matter has been taken up.