Policy Wise

In response to an article Economist, Policy Wise has previously argued that banning quacks is not a viable solution to urban health crisis. Quacks exist because of the poor quality government dispensaries and primary health centers even in large cities.

A new survey conducted in a Delhi slum shows exactly that,

The study, conducted by doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) during 2004-08 in a South Delhi slum, found that of the 207 households, only two preferred to visit the government dispensary located four kilometres from the settlement. The others felt that non-qualified medical practitioners are more humane, more communicative and offer more payment options for daily wage workers[link] (emphasis added)

This is the state of affairs in South Delhi where apart from numerous government dispensaries, two of India’s premier medical facilities, All India institute of Medical Sciences (A.I.I.M.S0 and Safdarjung Hospital are located. The service delivery mechanism in case of quacks is simply more attuned to local needs.

The need of the hour is not give in to pressure of organized medicine and ban quacks–rather, attempts should be made to co-opt them into the primary health system by means of proper training and constant monitoring and education.