Leading health experts on Sunday expressed their great concern over the unchecked and alarming mushroom growth of quacks and so-called Hakims playing havoc with the lives of the masses.
A panel of health experts comprising Principal, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Professor Dr Mohammad Akbar Chaudhry, Principal, Allama Medical College, Professor Dr Sibitul Hasnain, chairman and Dean Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Professor Dr Anwar Ahmad Khan and Medical Superintendent Jinnah Hospital Dr Zahid Pervaiz talking to newsmen here on Sunday, said that the growing number of quacks and pseudo Hakims now claim to treat people for Hepatitis and other critical diseases, without having any in-depth medical knowledge.
They said what the self-claimed doctors do manage to accomplish is adding dangerous complications to the distress already faced by the patients.
Responding to a query, Professor Anwar said patients go to see quacks usually because they lack awareness, or have been misled by other people, or because they feel they cannot afford hospital treatment.
Dr Akbar advised people to visit any government hospital where specialist doctors can provide professional medical tests and treatment, with the latest medical equipment, modern labs and operation theatres.
Dr Sibitul Hasnain said that in most cases, especially patients of hepatitis, kidney problems, diabetes and heart diseases, people come to the hospital after wasting their precious time with quacks, often when the disease is beyond treatments.
Pseudo Hakims and quacks frequently prescribe so-called herbal tonics and 'kushta' which have no bearing on the disease need and treatment, their only motive being to grab money from the poor patients.
Professor Dr Tahir Shafi Head of "National Institute of Kidney Diseases" said "Life is too precious to be put on risk through the hit and trial 'treatment' used by self-styled doctors and Hakims," and observed that medical help should be sought only from recognised doctors and specialists.
Dr Zahid Pervaiz said quacks posed a threat not only to human health, but to life itself.
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