A plea has been filed in the Kerala High Court, seeking the implementation of effective measures to address the growing issue of fake doctors practicing in the state.

Justice V.G. Arun has scheduled the matter for November 25 for further instructions.

The petitioner, General Practitioners Association, is a registered society under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific, and Charitable Societies Registration Act. Comprising licensed medical practitioners, the association is dedicated to maintaining the dignity of the medical profession, particularly within general medical practice. It aims to protect its members' interests while fostering collaboration among them.

The petitioner society argued that the number of unqualified individuals practicing as doctors without valid medical credentials or licenses is on the rise, leading to numerous incidents of medical malpractice, negligence, and even fatalities.

The plea further noted that despite complaints about the increasing number of fake medical practitioners, the number of FIRs filed remains disproportionately low compared to the volume of complaints.

The petition also alleges that numerous individuals without valid medical degrees, as well as foreign university returnees who have not passed the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations, are practicing in clinics or establishing their own clinics.

The petition asserts that the government’s failure to implement an effective system to verify doctors’ registrations violates Article 21 of the Constitution, which includes the right to health as an essential aspect of the right to live with dignity.

Additionally, the petitioner society has submitted representations to the Chief Minister, the Department of Health and Family Welfare, and the Kerala State Medical Council, urging them to address the issue of unqualified medical practitioners in the state.

“The cardinal issue pointed out in all these representations are regarding the use of registration number belonging to another medical practitioner for the purpose of appointments in hospitals or clinics, the inefficient functioning of State Medical Council, absence of a centralized portal to verify the registration of medical practitioners and most importantly the almost inexistent inspection of clinical establishments which has resulted in the voluminous increase of fake doctors across the state.

The petitioner society is therefore seeking a directive for the Department of Health and Family Welfare and the Kerala State Medical Council to establish a centralized portal on the council’s website, enabling citizens to easily verify the credentials of registered medical practitioners. The petition emphasizes that citizens have the right to confirm the qualifications and legitimacy of the doctors treating them.

The petitioner also seeks direction to conduct inspections in clinical establishments throughout the State to prevent the practice of fake medical practitioners.

The petition also calls for interim relief regarding the steps taken to address the issue of the increasing number of fake medical practitioners in the State.

The plea has been moved by Advocates Akhil Vinayan and Prasanth Tom