Thane: Shiv Sena corporators have raised questions over the recent proliferation of unregistered doctors in various pockets of the city and suburbs, accusing the municipal health department of turning a blind eye while residents’ lives were being put at risk.The issue was raised by Sena corporator Rajesh More during discussions in the Wednesday general body meeting for hiring honorary doctors. More claimed that fake practitioners—mostly from other states—were opening clinics in suburban pockets, especially in the slum areas, without any verification of their degrees by the municipal health department. He also flagged irregularities in the functioning of IVF and sonography centres operating in the city, especially in the backdrop of the recent racket exposed in Badlapur.Fellow party corporator Ramakant Madhavi joined in and said the problem was rampant in Diva and Kalwa, and Mumbra also, with new clinics appearing frequently without any checks by the municipal health department.After the administration claimed that the clinic registration was beyond the civic body’s jurisdiction, corporators demanded an immediate step to plug this apparent loophole, which was being exploited by these alleged bogus doctors.Accordingly, additional municipal commissioner Sandeep Malvi said that special inspection teams would be deployed in every ward, and FIRs would be filed against any quacks found operating.Officials said that Thane has 11 authorised IVF centres and 27 are awaiting approval, but recent inspections revealed many facilities functioned without proper recognition. “Surprise checks have already begun across sonography centres and IVF facilities,” said an official.
