To overcome the huge shortage of junior doctors to man hospitals around-the-clock, private hospitals rope in ayurvedic and homeopathic practitioners. This is totally illegal since they cannot practice allopathy without having the requisite qualifications in this field.

Hospitals call them as physician assistants and claim they help allopathic doctors. The reality is that they are even allowed to treat patients in intensive care units of smaller hospitals.

There are quite a few hospitals, including some big names, who prescribe unproven therapy treatments to their patients. Some examples are Stem Cell therapy for all kinds of neurological disorders and Chelation therapy for coronary artery disease.

Patients are not informed that these therapies are unproven and are given false hopes regarding their efficacy. These therapies are also not part of any Government approved clinical studies as well.

They are charged a premium fee, sometimes as high as Rs. 5 lakhs, for these.  Since hospitals who run according to the rule book do not provide such treatment, it offers a wonderful opportunity for unethical hospitals to exploit patients.

 Gullible patients, who are desperate to cling to any kind of hope during difficult moments, are fleeced by these reputed hospitals. Not only does it make the patients bankrupt, it could also cause immense adverse effects to one’s health.

To be safe, patients need to check with hospitals on their policy with regard to hiring of doctors. They should also check junior doctors about their qualifications.

It would also help if they question doctors on the evidence they have for the therapy they are suggesting. Patients also need to do their homework regarding these unique therapies before agreeing for the treatment.

They need to take the help of reliable doctors to help them with some research in this connection.

The Medical Council of India must come down heavily on these hospitals and revoke their license. This will not be difficult as the credentials of doctors can be cross-checked by it easily.