A complaint alleging unauthorised dermatology and aesthetic procedures at 18 skin and cosmetic centres across Jalandhar has prompted the district health department to initiate an investigation.
The complaint was submitted to the Civil Surgeon, Jalandhar, and the state health department by medical associations that raised concerns over the alleged practice of modern medicine by unqualified individuals.
According to the complaint, several establishments located in areas including Model Town, Gujral Nagar, Jyoti Chowk, Cool Road, Abadpura, Garha Road, Ranjit Nagar, Kishanpura, Urban Estate Phase II, New Jawahar Nagar, Mota Singh Nagar, Master Tara Singh Nagar and Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar are allegedly offering medical skin and aesthetic procedures without the required qualifications or specialist supervision.
The complaint alleges that procedures such as laser hair reduction, pigmentation treatment, tattoo removal, skin resurfacing, scar treatment, chemical peels, microneedling, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, mesotherapy, hair restoration procedures, anti-ageing treatments, injectable procedures and other aesthetic services are being carried out by unauthorised individuals.
The complainants have also alleged that some procedures are being performed by individuals who are not registered dermatologists or plastic surgeons and the complaint further states that certain dental practitioners are allegedly carrying out skin-related procedures that fall outside their area of professional training.
The complaint argues that these procedures are medical interventions and require proper diagnosis, patient evaluation, informed consent, sterilisation protocols, emergency preparedness and specialist supervision.
It also highlights several potential health risks associated with such procedures, including burns, infections, scarring, allergic reactions, hyperpigmentation, facial disfigurement, permanent skin damage and the possible transmission of infections due to improper handling of blood products and biomedical waste.
The complainants have claimed that unauthorised medical practices may violate provisions under the National Medical Commission Act, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the Consumer Protection Act, the Biomedical Waste Management Rules and other applicable regulations governing medical practice.
The complaint has urged the health department to conduct inspections, verify the qualifications of establishments offering dermatology and aesthetic procedures, regulate the use of medical laser equipment and take legal action wherever violations are found, the complainants have also sought verification of sterilisation practices, biomedical waste disposal systems and the use of prescription medicines at the establishments mentioned in the complaint, they have further requested authorities to issue public advisories warning citizens about the risks associated with undergoing medical procedures at unauthorised centres.
Speaking to the media, Civil Surgeon Dr. Rajesh Garg confirmed that the department has received the complaint "We have received the complaint, and an investigation into the matter has been initiated. The allegations mentioned in the complaint will be examined, and further action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry" he said.
At present, the health department has not announced any action against any establishment and officials said the allegations mentioned in the complaint will be verified during the investigation.
