Srinagar clinic offering ‘miracle cures’ sealed

Srinagar, Jan 24: A clinic in Dara Harwan area of Srinagar where patients used to get “miracle cures,” with alleged unproven medical treatments was sealed on Friday and its medicines were seized for further laboratory investigation.
The move comes two days after the Pediatrics Department of Govt. Medical College (GMC) Srinagar called for intervention to take action against quackery to safeguard public health.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Srinagar, Dr Tahir Sajad said the clinic was sealed in presence of the concerned SDM, Tehsildar and some samples of medicines were taken for investigation.
“We have also seized medicines and samples have been taken to the laboratory in Srinagar to investigate and verify authenticity and assess any violations of medical practices,” he said.
The CMO stated that the department would investigate whether the medicines provided to the patients were safe for use. “Ensuring patient safety is our priority. We are not opposed to the use of Ayurvedic medicines. There should be safety of patients,” the CMO said.
Some senior officials complained that it was the responsibility of the Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM) Department, but they have failed to take any action in this regard to date.
“It falls under the jurisdiction of ISM, as they are aware of the standards and guidelines, especially since Ayurvedic medicines contain heavy metals. They must oversee such matters. I don’t know how they monitor these things,” the officials said.
Earlier, in an official communiqué, the Head of the Department of Paediatrics at GMC urged Principal GMC Srinagar to take strong measures against the practice of quackery.
In an official communication addressed to Principal/Dean of Government Medical College Srinagar, HoD Pediatrics GMC Srinagar had urged that there was a dire need to take some strong measures against the practice of quackery.
It said that during the past few years, there have been several cases of Acute Liver Failure (ALF), who were previously discharged from this hospital (GMC Srinagar).
“After leaving the hospital, they went to some place in Dara Harwan to get “miracle cures,” wherein they get some unproven medical treatments and some complementary therapies and land in ICU with ALF and die,” the official communication said.
The HoD Pediatrics had urged the Principal GMC Srinagar to take all possible necessary measures against such unqualified individuals to safeguard future generations.