Family inheritances are passed on through generations. There is nothing unusual about it. But can the same thing be said about someone who inherits a medical degree? The search for bogus doctors across the state has led medical teams to discover some of the most bizarre cases of medical fraud.

The inspection team stood aghast when they found that a Bodeli ‘doctor’ continued the family tradition by repainting the hospital signboard with his name sans the medical degree. “His father was a dentist and ran a dental clinic. After his death, the son entered the family trade without a degree. He survived in the profession with the already inherited clinical set up and the little dentistry he might have learnt from his father,” said B K Patel, a member of the inspection team headed by the Vadodara District Health Officer.

Ample number of diplomas in Naturopathy, Electropathy, Magnetic therapy and the like were represented before the locals as being equivalent to any MBBS degree. While the raids have caught many ‘doctors’ without any medical degree at all, the investigation has also unearthed medical colleges that have never been heard of.

“These doctors came up with laminated degree certificates of different courses from some unknown colleges in remote areas of Patna, Ludhiana, West Bengal and even Ahmedabad. The point of concern is that they have been giving full treatment including oral medicines, intravenous medicines, steroids and any other treatment,” said Prakash Vaghela, Chief District Health Officer, Godhra.