Fake Doctors in Delhi: Here’s How You Can Spot One
Summary: This article highlights how the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) is stepping up its efforts to combat quackery in Delhi by providing citizens with digital tools to verify doctors’ credentials. It discusses a major case of medical fraud and what new measures the DMC is implementing to ensure only qualified professionals treat patients.
Did you know some self-proclaimed doctors in Delhi performed over 3,000 surgeries, without proper qualifications?
Shocking, right? That’s why the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) has launched easy-to-use verification tools to help citizens check if their doctor is legitimate. This blog walks you through how to use these tools and what sparked their urgent need.
Why You Should Verify Your Doctor’s Credentials
Fake doctors aren’t just a distant threat, they’re operating in the heart of Delhi.
In November 2023, Neeraj Agarwal, a so-called surgeon, was arrested after performing surgeries that led to several deaths. Shocking revelations found that lab technicians, not doctors, carried out the procedures, while Agarwal himself had only an MBBS and no surgical qualifications.
This prompted Advocate Sachin Jain to file a plea in December 2023, alerting the Delhi High Court to the unchecked rise in quackery. The plea stated:
“Quacks, often lacking legitimate medical qualifications, have seized the opportunity presented by lax oversight… putting the lives of unsuspecting patients at severe risk.”
What the Delhi Medical Council Is Doing About It
In response, the Delhi Medical Council laid out clear steps to help citizens verify doctors and identify quacks:
1. Mandatory Registration Numbers
Doctors registered with DMC must include their registration number on:
- Prescriptions
- Medical certificates
- Payment receipts
2. Allowed Medical Titles Only
Doctors can only use recognized medical degrees as suffixes to their names. They cannot claim to be specialists unless they have the qualifications to back it up.
3. QR Codes on Certificates
Each registered doctor’s certificate now has a QR code. Patients can simply scan it to view:
- Doctor’s name
- Photograph
- Verified qualifications
- Registration number
4. Digital Verification Portals
Two free tools are now available on the Delhi Medical Council website:
- ‘Verification of Doctor’s Registration’
- ‘Search Your Doctor’
These tools allow users to check:
- Name
- Registration number
- Qualification
- Clinic address
- Validity of registration
Real Stories, Real Victims
The plea filed in court wasn’t just based on numbers. It was backed by five victims, including a 6-year-old child who suffered brain damage and West Syndrome after treatment by unqualified staff in a Delhi hospital’s Neonatal ICU. Four others had also either suffered personally or lost loved ones due to medical malpractice.
The petitioners also asked the court to create a High-Powered Committee with retired judges and independent members to oversee a transparent verification process.
What the Court Is Doing
The Delhi High Court took note of the plea and requested the DMC to provide concrete solutions, leading to the measures now in place. The Council says:
“These steps are designed to empower citizens with accurate information and help prevent incidents of medical fraud.”
Stay Informed, Stay Safe
The rise of fake doctors in Delhi is a pressing concern, but now, you can protect yourself. With simple digital tools from the Delhi Medical Council, verifying a doctor’s credentials is just a few clicks (or a QR scan) away.
Always check before you trust, because your life may depend on it.
Inputs from various media sources.
Dane
I am an MBBS graduate and a dedicated medical writer with a strong passion for deep research and psychology. I enjoy breaking down complex medical topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content, aiming to educate and inspire readers by exploring the fascinating connection between health, science, and the human mind.
