Are we safe in the hands of roadside palm readers?

Mr Bob Otieno wrote to PointBlank on December 23 expressing concern about the proliferation of so-called ‘doctors’ who claimed they could diagnose all kinds of diseases just by reading the palms of one’s hands (Are street medical tests panacea to health woes?).

Otieno said that those involved in this practice were offering their services in all major towns and he wanted to know whether officials from the ministries of Public Health and Medical Services, including the City Council of Nairobi, had sanctioned these tests.

"If the tests have been approved, why can’t they be taken to major Government hospitals where they will benefit more people?" he asked.

Indeed, what say you Medical Services PS Mary Ngari? Is this the next big thing in medicine?