Surat: The special operations group (SOG) of Surat city police, in a joint operation with the district health department, arrested 16 alleged quacks for allegedly running clinics in Pandesara without recognised medical qualifications on Tuesday.SOG teams conducted checks across the city and identified several clinics in Pandesara where people were allegedly practising medicine without valid medical degrees. Decoy patients were sent to the clinics to verify the allegations before simultaneous raids were conducted. The operation was led by DCP Rajdeep Nakum and police inspector Atul Sonara, along with chief district health officer Dr Anil B Patel.According to police, the accused had been running clinics for periods ranging from a few months to more than three decades. Several had studied up to Class 10 or Class 12, while others held non-medical degrees. Some had previously worked as compounders or assistants in hospitals and nursing homes before allegedly setting up their own practices.One of the accused had allegedly been running a clinic for 33 years, while another allegedly ran clinics at different locations for around 30 years. Police also found that some of them examined several patients every day and made substantial amounts from their ‘practices’.During the raids, the teams seized medicines, injections, syrups and medical equipment collectively valued at Rs 1.82 lakh.Cases were registered at Pandesara police station. The district health department will also initiate separate proceedings against them under the Clinical Establishments Act. Police said several of the accused had previously been booked for practising medicine without the requisite qualifications.
