K'taka govt issues circular to seal unauthorised medical facilities, clinics run by fake doctors
Bengaluru: Karnataka Health department has asked district health officers to inspect and seal unauthorised medical facilities and those run by ”fake doctors” after police busted a sex determination and female foeticide racket in Karnataka, Several arrests have been made in connection with the scandal uncovered in Bengaluru, Mandya and Mysuru districts.
The Karnataka Government has now transferred investigation into such illegal activities to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Karnataka Police.
Following the reports, State Health Commissioner Randeep D issued a circular directing district health officials to inspect all medical facilities including clinics, diagnostic laboratories and seal them if they are found to be ”unauthorised” and run by ”fake doctors”.
The circular also asked the district health officials to ensure effective enforcement of the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act.
Noting that the number of fake clinics and doctors is on the rise, the circular stated that all the private medical institutions are required to get mandatory KPME registration.
However, it has come to notice that ”fake doctors” who do not have the necessary qualifications are illegally running clinics and laboratories.
These establishments also do not possess KPME registration which is mandatory. All the district health officials have been instructed to initiate appropriate action against such facilities and seal them, it said.
The circular also cited that as per the KPME Amendment Act, 2017, any person who establishes or maintains a private medical facility without registration is liable for imprisonment for a term of up to three years and a fine of Rs one lakh.
Patients in such 'unregistered’ medical facilities shall be transferred to other authorised facilities. If any medical facility is found to be operational without specified registration, action will be taken to seal it till the case is settled, the circular added.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
