The ongoing crackdown on quacks has elicited many questions than answers. After the prosecution of a bogus doctor arrested last year who was found to have no qualifications, the action has not be a deterrent to other quacks.
The Government, together with medical boards, should join hands to eliminate quacks once and for all.
If left on their own, patients cannot know whether they are being treated by a quack or qualified doctor.
It is unfortunate that our hospitals have a shortage of drugs yet outlets run by quacks are well stocked. One wonders whether there is a conspiracy between doctors from Government hospitals and the quacks.
The Government should do a thorough audit of public hospitals on medical supplies and punish those found culpable of transferring drugs to privately-owned ventures.
And quacks found offering services in their chemists and clinics should be arrested and prosecuted. Drugs administered by these unqualified doctors may have been expired, and because of lack knowledge, they prescribe it to patients, thereby putting their lives at risk.
