A fake doctor was arrested in Kerala's Kozhikode after being involved in a case of medical negligence that led to the death of a 60-year-old man. Following this, Kerala's Health Minister Veena George has called for the full cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure the proper implementation of the Kerala State Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2018.
Who Is The Kerala Fake Doctor?
The accused, identified as Abu Abraham Luke, 36, dropped out of medical school but continued to work at a hospital without completing his medical studies.
In this case, 60-year-old Vinod Kumar, who died after being treated by Luke at Kadalundi Kottakkadavu TMH Hospital, was identified by his former college mate.
Despite his lack of formal qualifications, Luke had worked in nine different hospitals across the Malappuram district. Some patients were reportedly satisfied with his treatment and sought his services repeatedly.
Kerala Fake Doctor Case:
The case came to light when Malavika, who is a doctor working in Chandigarh, recognized Luke's name while visiting the same hospital shortly after Vinod's death on August 23.
After attending the funeral, Malavika returned to the hospital on August 27 with a relative who was unwell. Upon seeing Luke's name on a hospital board, she recalled him as a senior from her medical college, who had dropped out of his studies years ago.
In addition, she was also informed that the same person was responsible for Vinod Kumar's treatment. Malavika lodged a complaint with the police on August 28.
Abu Abraham Luke, originally from Thiruvalla, had enrolled in a private medical college in Kozhikode in 2011 to pursue an MBBS degree. However, he had failed his semester exams and never completed his course.
It is said that he began practicing medicine under the registration number of another individual with a similar name, Abu P Xavier. His false certifications allowed him to secure employment at multiple hospitals, where he was praised for his work, despite his lack of proper qualifications.
Kerala Government Responds:
Following the arrest, Kerala's Health Minister Veena George has emphasized the need for strict enforcement of the Kerala State Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2018.
She condemned the practice of operating without proper registration, calling it a criminal offense. Only doctors registered under the Medical Practitioners' Act of 2021 are legally permitted to practice in the state.
Minister George also noted that hospitals are responsible for ensuring that their medical staff have valid qualifications and proper registration. She announced that legal action would be taken against the hospital involved in the Kozhikode case for failing to carry out the background checks.
