Authorities crackdown on alternate therapy clinic at Harwan
Srinagar, Jan 24: Acting on the plea of medical practitioners, the authorities today acted upon and lifted samples of formulations from a clinic in Harwan Srinagar and sent those for testing. The formulations, as per doctors, were causing liver damage in children to the extent of causing liver failure in some.
Block Medical Officer Hazratbal accompanied by officials from district administration Srinagar today cracked down on a clinic in Harwan, seizing medicines and launching an investigation into its practices. The clinic in Harwan was accused of offering unproven medical treatments, putting patients' lives at risk.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Srinagar, Dr. Tahir Sajad, confirmed the seizure, stating, "The clinic that doctors have raised alarm about has been seized in Dara, Harwan, Srinagar. We have seized medicines as well. Samples of medicines have also been taken and will go through investigations to verify their authenticity and assess any violations of medical practices." The samples, he said, will be analysed by Drug and Food Control Department J&K.
The crackdown comes after the Head of the Department of Paediatrics at GMC Srinagar urged the Principal GMC Srinagar to take strong measures against quackery. In an official communique, the department highlighted the alarming rise in acute liver failure cases linked to unproven treatments. "We need to take some strong measures against the practice of quackery," the communique reads. It also notes that many patients who received ‘unproven medical treatments’ in Dara Harwan ended up in the ICU with acute liver failure, ultimately leading to their deaths.
The department has urged authorities to take necessary measures against unqualified individuals practicing quackery, emphasizing the need to safeguard future generations.