Salumber crackdown: 6 illegal clinics sealed after 7 child deaths

JAIPUR: In a major crackdown on quackery in Rajasthan’s Salumber district, the administration and health department have sealed six illegal clinics, including four in Lasadiya block, after seven children died between April 1 and 7.

Officials said the deaths were linked to delayed treatment, with families first taking the children to unqualified practitioners instead of government health facilities.

According to the health department’s inquiry, five of the seven children died at home or while being taken for treatment, one died after family members opted for voluntary discharge, and one died at RNT Medical College. Authorities said the children were suffering from malaria and other illnesses, but were not taken to proper medical centres on time.

Chief medical health officer of Salumber, Dr. Mahendra Kumar Parmar, said, “The investigation found that the children could not reach government health facilities early enough for timely treatment. Their families relied on quacks, and as the children’s condition worsened due to improper treatment, they died without receiving proper medical care.”

“Four illegal clinics have been sealed during the drive. When our officials reached the clinics, the operators fled. The clinics were then sealed. The individuals running them had no recognised medical qualifications and were operating illegally,” sub-divisional magistrate of Lasadiya (Salumber), Dinesh Acharya, told TOI.

Acharya said quacks often exploit poor and less educated tribal communities by misleading them and offering treatment without any legal authority or medical training.

Officials said similar action was taken in Salumber block, where two more clinics run by quacks were sealed. “Those operating the clinics had no medical qualifications,” sub-divisional magistrate Jagdish Bamaniya said.

Health officials said quackery continues to be widespread in tribal areas and pointed to similar incidents in Sirohi, Banswara and Pratapgarh, where dependence on illegal practitioners has previously been linked to child deaths.Get real-time updates and result insights on the CBSE 12 Result 2026.