The severe condition of the health sector in Sri Lanka is deteriorating rapidly. Reports have surfaced regarding unsatisfactory health conditions, such as fake vaccines, substandard medications and medical equipment being brought into the country without proper procurement procedures.
Additionally, there have been incidents of fraud and corruption worth millions due to the misuse of health funds.
The former Minister of Health has alleged that Health Ministry officials were also involved in these scams, and suspects have been arrested with legal proceedings underway.
These conditions have affected many sick people, and unfortunate incidents have occurred.
Revealed by the Government Medical Officers Association
It has come to light that the severe impact of certain situations in Sri Lanka has revealed the presence of a dangerous scam involving fake doctors.
This widespread racket has put patients’ lives at risk in the health sector. According to the Association of Government Medical Officers, the number of fake doctors operating nationwide is nearly 50,000.
These individuals are not approved by any medical council and lack proper training, making their activities seriously threatening society’s health. Investigations into this matter are currently underway.
The situation in all provinces
Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, spokesperson for the Government Medical Officers’ Association, has highlighted a concerning issue in Sri Lanka’s health sector.
According to him, approximately 40,000 fake doctors are practising in the country. This situation has led to a lack of trust in the healthcare system, and patients cannot rely on the treatment they receive.
Dr Wijesinghe has also stated that these rogue doctors are dispersed throughout the country, and there have been instances where patients treated by them were hospitalised in critical condition.
Such doctors usually charge a small fee for their services. As a result, patients who are already struggling financially are being further exploited.
Unfortunately, due to the weaknesses of the existing legal system and the lack of action against these fake doctors, it has become challenging to kerb this trafficking.
This situation has created an urgent need for a more robust system to identify and prosecute those practising medicine without the necessary qualifications.
Loopholes in the law
The fines prescribed by the law for such fake doctors who issue drugs illegally are very minimal.
It is like giving them space to carry out their activities without fear. It is also clear that the information received regarding such fake drug centres is diverse.
The fact that some doctors registered under Western, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic medical councils are using other medical methods instead of the medical system they have studied is a matter mainly focused here.
Another thing is that people with some connection to the health sector, such as nurses and paramedic staff members, pretend to be doctors and provide treatment.
It has been discovered that some such people are running medical centres by pretending to be doctors and treating patients unqualified. Meanwhile, doctors’ associations reveal that people not involved in any health service can be seen posing as doctors in different areas.
Critically ill patients’ lives are in danger
For a long time, these people have been known to pretend to be doctors and provide treatment for normal to severe illnesses. Information has also been reported that they have even performed illegal abortions.
They are also deceiving people who are suffering from serious diseases such as cancer, kidney, heart disease, etc.
The All Sri Lanka Doctors’ Association points out that they are providing treatment to helpless patients without any scientific basis, and this situation is growing daily.
04 categories of fake doctors
In Sri Lanka, all doctors working in the medical service must be registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council. Ayurvedic practitioners can only provide their services with the approval of the Ayurvedic Medical Council.
At the same time, homoeopaths must obtain registration with the Homeopathic Medical Association. People who practice without qualifications fall under the first category of fake doctors. In contrast, those who provide treatment under medical methods other than the registered medical field belong to the second group.
Additionally, there are groups in the health field who are not doctors but pretend to be doctors, which is the third way of identifying fake medical practitioners. Some local doctors have noticed fake doctors prescribing Western medical treatment for diseases like diabetes.
The Association of Government Medical Officers warns that patients who have received treatment from fake doctors face various difficulties, and many of them are in life-threatening situations.
The latest threat created in the face of economic pressure
Pharmacy owners who dispense medication instead of doctors can also be identified. It is illegal for pharmacies to dispense drugs without a doctor’s prescription.
However, due to an acute economic problem in Sri Lankan society, many poor people seek treatment from private drug store owners for various ailments.
This situation is prevalent throughout the country, and pharmacy owners who issue such medicines are often seen as fake doctors. The practice of seeking treatment from pharmacies without consulting a doctor is a severe problem in Sri Lanka.
The Government Medical Officers’ Association has reported instances of patients losing their lives due to receiving the wrong medication from fake doctors and certain pharmacies.
The country’s health system is in grave danger, and the situation is further exacerbated by the departure of doctors from the country. With fewer doctors compared to the number of patients, the health crisis in Sri Lanka has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives.
The problem cannot be solved by increasing the number of fake doctors. If fake doctors continue to spread, the lives of many will become helpless.
