Kolkata, October 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The West Bengal Health Department has introduced a new set of protocols to prevent private healthcare facilities from appointing individuals allegedly practising medicine with forged certificates or fake registration numbers.
Under the new guidelines, issued through a notification by the state Health Department, private medical establishments must verify doctors’ registration numbers and credentials before appointing them.
The directive refers to Rule 7(4) of the West Bengal Clinical Establishment (Registration, Regulation and Transparency) Rules, 2017, which requires private healthcare facilities to verify the relevant documents of medical practitioners.
“Many individuals claiming to be doctors often practise without valid registration numbers or approval to provide medical services. As a result, members of the public can be misled. We have therefore asked licensing authorities to remain vigilant to prevent such fraud,” a state Health Department official said.
The official added that if there are doubts about the identity, educational qualifications, registration status or legal authorisation of anyone practising medicine, the appropriate authorities must be informed immediately.
“In such cases, the West Bengal Medical Council should be approached without delay to verify the eligibility of the doctor concerned,” the official said.
The department has also warned that anyone found providing medical services under a fake identity or without the required registration and authorisation will face appropriate legal action and severe punishment under the law.
The issue was initially highlighted by the Association of Private Medical Hospitals & Nursing Homes, which raised concerns about private healthcare facilities employing individuals without valid medical registrations. The association also pointed to instances of such individuals independently offering medical services through private chambers.
The association had urged the state government and the medical council to introduce stronger measures to prevent unauthorised practitioners from putting patients’ lives at risk.
The new protocols have also been welcomed by the West Bengal Doctors’ Forum, a prominent body representing medical practitioners in the state.
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