LARKANA: Sindh District Health Officers of 28 districts claimed to have visited 3966 clinics from a total identified 4639 clinics of quacks in their respective regions in compliance to the orders of the court. A report sent by Director General (DG) of Hyderabad Health Services to Health Secretary states that they have taken action against 2522 clinics while 3825 clinics were issued notices only. In the report, the DG recommended to the health secretary to take stern action against district health officer of Larkana who failed to take stern action against quacks operating in his district despite several reminders. The DG revealed the statistics that 694 quacks were operating in Sanghar district, 221 in Naushahro Feroze, 30 in Tando Allahyar, 194 in Badin, 340 in Hyderabad, 135 in Kambar, 302 in Jacobabad, 173 in Tando Muhammad Khan, 72 in Tharparkar, 106 in Jamshoro, 127 in Khairpur, 26 in Kashmore, 73 in Ghotki, 267 in Sukkur, 223 in Shikarpur, 161 in Thatta, 63 in Sujawal, 201 in Nawabshah, 204 in Dadu, 388 in Mirpur Khas and 56 in Matiari district. 250 quacks were operating in Karachi East, 40 in Karachi Central, 33 in Karachi West, 9 in Karachi Malir, 38 in Karachi South, 20 in Karachi Korangi and 190 in Umerkot. 122 illegal clinics were sealed and first information report (FIR) has been lodged against them while only notices were issued to other quacks in the region. Allegedly, few physicians are suspected to support quacks and inform them about the surprise raids conducted by the judges and officers. Larkana DHO Dr Abdul Rahman Baloch claimed to have taken stern action against quacks in the four districts. He confessed that many quacks are still operating and call themselves ‘Hakim’ using homeopathic certification. He claimed that many quacks get their clinics unsealed through the court. He said 387 quacks were operating in Larkana out of which 350 are issued notices, 316 are sealed and seven FIRs are lodged against them. He claimed to have sent a report to the health secretary and inform him that quacks illegal medication may also cause Hepatitis and HIV infection to spread. Published in Daily Times, April 15th 2018.