Maharashtra government sets up task force to crack down on bogus doctors and unregistered nursing homes

Mumbai: The Maharashtra govt has set up a state-level task force headed by the additional chief secretary of urban development and senior health department officials to crack down on bogus doctors and unregistered nursing homes operating across the state, with a detailed action-taken report to be presented in the next legislature session.Replying to the concerns raised in the House, minister Uday Samant said the issue was serious and not confined to Mumbai, though action so far was taken against 35 nursing homes, largely in Govandi and Chembur. He said 1,371 nursing homes are registered, but complaints and recent cases exposed gaps in monitoring, inspection and certification.The task force will include officials from the police department and govt medical colleges, and will coordinate action against illegal medical practice and unauthorised healthcare facilities. Senior BMC health officials will also be directed to intensify action against quacks in Mumbai.The move follows allegations that a large number of unregistered private hospitals and nursing homes are functioning in different parts of the state, especially in Mumbai, putting patients' lives at risk. The issue was raised by BJP MLC Chitra Wagh, who questioned whether the govt conducted an inquiry and what action followed. Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap also flagged contradictions between the govt's written reply and the action now being announced.Samant said the state would launch a wider campaign against bogus doctors, making it mandatory for medical practitioners and healthcare facilities to prominently display registration certificates and helpline numbers for citizens. District health departments will be asked to carry out inspections of private hospitals and nursing homes.He also referred to a case linked to a well-known private hospital in the western suburbs, saying the newly formed task force would examine such matters and take action wherever required.The govt's response comes amid scrutiny following civic concerns over bogus practitioners and unauthorised medical establishments continuing to operate despite existing regulations.