KOCHI: Alarmed by the fake health tips being circulated through the social media, the state committee of the Indian Medical Association(IMA) has lodged a complaint with the State Police Chief demanding action against those who propagate such messages.
“Some of the examples of misleading healthcare tips on social media are ‘do not take medicine twice a day for diabetes; and hyper tension does not require treatment.’ Every Malayali who uses social media would have definitely received at least one such message. Propagating such fake messages has become a public health concern in the State, where most people use modern messaging platforms regularly,” said IMA state president Dr Jayakrishnan A V.
“In many cases, it has been found that the messages were created by persons who were not linked to the medical sector in any way. There were even incidents wherein patients blindly followed such tips, causing harm to their health,” he said. The IMA office-bearers are of the opinion that action should be initiated against those who forward misleading information.
“The public should understand that circulating false information about health and medication is harmful, given the fact that most people are under the impression that information available on the internet is authentic,” said Dr Jayakrishnan.
The IMA office-bearers submitted the complaint to DGP Loknath Behra, in person. “The DGP has assured prompt action, and forwarded the complaint to the Hi-tech Cell of the State Police,” he added.
The IMA is alarmed at the fake health tips being circulated through the social medial, and rightly so.
But shouldn't the IMA also be concerned of the number of useless tests that patients are advised to undergo ad the number of expensive medicines patients are advised to purchase just because the pharma companies gives them bribes in cash & kind?
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