Assam Crackdown on Quackery Exposes Loopholes in Healthcare Laws

The recent arrests in Assam have laid bare a troubling underbelly of India’s healthcare ecosystem: the enduring menace of quacks or unlicensed medical practitioners. Not only do these incidents spotlight individuals masquerading as medical professionals, these also expose systemic shortcomings that can jeopardise public health.

With estimates suggesting that quackery contributes to 10–15% of healthcare malpractice complaints in some regions, cases such as the ones in Assam underscore the urgency of a regulatory overhaul.

Many Indians, particularly in rural regions, perceive the healthcare system's critical condition as forcing them to seek assistance from unqualified practitioners. A 2019 study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics indicates that approximately 60% of rural households rely on unqualified and unlicensed practitioners, often referred to as "quacks". This reliance is attributed to a significant shortage of qualified medical professionals in the country.

There are fewer than 20,000 primary eye care practitioners in the country, with a ratio of about 1 doctor for every 1,400 individuals, which is considerably below the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommended ratio of 1:1,000.

Moreover, the shortage of healthcare resources is particularly severe in rural areas where 75% of the population resides but has access to only 20% of the nation's medical professionals. This situation forces many individuals to undertake lengthy and expensive trips to towns and cities for medical care.

In 2021, a report from the Public Health Foundation of India indicated that 40% of rural patients travel over 5 kilometers to access healthcare services. Significant out-of-pocket expenses, accounting for 65% of healthcare costs, exacerbate the challenges by rendering formal care unaffordable for a substantial portion of the population. Additionally, cultural trust in traditional healers plays a crucial role in shaping reliance on unlicensed providers.

In Narayanpur Tea Estate in Sonitpur district of Assam, the authorities recently arrested a man falsely claiming expertise in Non-Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV). Astonishingly, this individual had once been trained by the West Bengal government and was even commended by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, for promoting NSV procedures in tea gardens across Assam and West Bengal, as per reports.

Operating undetected for nearly 23 years, his fraudulent credentials allowed him to deceive not only patients but also regulatory bodies entrusted with upholding medical standards.

In the second incident in Assam, in the last week of February 2025, another self-styled “doctor” was apprehended at a private nursing home in Digboi. Allegedly practicing for 19 years, he even used the registration number of a senior colleague who did not reside in Assam. It was only through the concerted efforts of local law enforcement and vigilant members of the medical community that his long-standing deception was uncovered.

When asked, Dr. Abhijit Neog, Anti-Quackery & Vigilance Officer at the Assam Clinical Medicine Registry (ACMR), said, "The fact that these quacks have not only deceived the public but also managed to fool government authorities—and even received accolades for their fake practices—is a stark reminder of the systemic loopholes in our healthcare registration and monitoring systems."

Such remarks are emblematic of a broader crisis where unchecked malpractices continue to compromise patient safety.

How can unqualified individuals practice for decades without detection? The answer lies in a combination of weak verification processes, patchy credential checks, and regulatory failures that are sometimes exacerbated by corruption.

A recent report by the National Health Authority revealed that nearly 40% of complaints regarding misrepresentation in the medical field were never fully investigated, pointing to a regulatory vacuum that quacks exploit.

Loose oversight allows fraudulent practitioners to secure training programmes and even government accolades. In the case of the NSV practitioner, his entry into government-sponsored training programmes and subsequent praise from high-level officials illustrate how regulatory gaps and potential corrupt practices can create a permissive environment for quackery. Bribes and a lack of stringent audit mechanisms often pave the way for such individuals to operate undetected, undermining public trust and compromising patient care.

The harm inflicted by quackery is multi-fold. When complex procedures like NSV are performed by unqualified practitioners, patients face severe risks—from infections and surgical complications to long-term reproductive health issues. Moreover, public confidence in the entire healthcare system is eroded, leading to hesitancy and skepticism towards legitimate medical services.

Legal precedents from the Calcutta High Court—in cases like Sanjib Das vs. State of West Bengal (2013) and Dhritarastra Dutta vs. State of West Bengal (2023)—affirm that only individuals with recognised qualifications under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, may use the "Dr." prefix. These rulings re-emphasise that unqualified practitioners cannot legitimise their practice and highlight the need for strict regulatory enforcement.

Addressing the menace of quackery, therefore, demands a comprehensive, multifaceted strategy that integrates robust verification, regular oversight, stringent regulations, heightened public education, and firm accountability measures.

Central to this approach is strengthening verification processes. By implementing digital licensing systems that cross-reference credentials in real time and integrating biometric verification, it can be ensured that the individual presenting a medical license is indeed the one on record. Such technological advancements can form the backbone of a more secure and transparent medical registration system.

Complementing these technological solutions, regular audits and inspections are critical. Establishing independent oversight bodies to conduct unannounced audits of both public and private healthcare institutions would serve as an ongoing check against fraudulent practices.

Also, the creation of a centralised reporting mechanism would allow discrepancies to be flagged and investigated promptly, ensuring that any deviation from established standards is swiftly addressed.

To fortify these efforts, it is essential to tighten legal and regulatory frameworks. Amending existing regulations to close loopholes that enable unqualified individuals to obtain and use medical credentials is a key step in this direction.

Simultaneously, imposing strict penalties—including license revocation and criminal charges—on those found facilitating quackery will act as a powerful deterrent against future malpractice. These legal reforms not only reinforce the credibility of the healthcare system but also protect patients from the potential harms of fraudulent medical practices.

Simultaneously, enhancing public awareness and education can play a pivotal role in this battle. Nationwide campaigns to educate citizens about the risks of quackery and how to verify a practitioner’s credentials can empower communities to make informed decisions. By engaging community leaders and local organisations, these educational initiatives can also facilitate the monitoring of local healthcare practices, ensuring that the message reaches even the most remote areas and that any irregularities are quickly brought to light.

Finally, establishing clear mechanisms for holding regulatory authorities accountable for oversight failures—including transparent investigations into corruption or negligence—will help restore public trust. Additionally, introducing whistleblower protection laws will encourage insiders to report malpractices without fear of retribution, thereby creating an environment where integrity and transparency are not only expected but rigorously enforced.

Together, these interlinked measures can form a comprehensive framework that addresses the systemic challenges posed by quackery.

The recent arrests in Assam serve as a wake-up call, highlighting not just isolated instances of malpractice but a systemic failure in healthcare regulation.

The time to act is now. With collective efforts and steadfast commitment, one can build a system that not only exposes and curbs quackery but also ensures that only qualified professionals are entrusted with the health and well-being of the public.

The writer is a Delhi-based freelancer who writes on health issues and medical discoveries.