Alleged Weight-Loss Injection Treatment at Bengaluru Star Hotel: Health Department Conducts Raid, Seizes Korean Medicines
Bengaluru: Allegations have surfaced that arrangements were being made to administer weight-loss injections at a prominent star hotel in Bengaluru. Acting on a complaint, Health Department officials conducted an inspection at the hotel on November 5.
The Indian Association of Dermatologists (IAD) had reportedly submitted an urgent complaint to the Health Department against Dr M S and another woman, alleging that preparations were underway to begin the treatment from 12 noon. The association urged the authorities to intervene immediately.
Following the complaint, a team led by Bengaluru Urban District Health Officer Dr Madani visited the hotel to ascertain whether the premises were authorised to provide medical treatment, whether the doctors involved possessed the requisite medical qualifications, and whether the injections being used were legally approved.
The officials examined whether the establishment was registered under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007, and verified the educational qualifications and registration details of the doctors involved. They also sought details regarding the manufacturers of the injectable products, batch numbers, expiry dates, and quality standards. During the inspection, injections reportedly imported from abroad were found at the premises.
Officials seized several medicines, weight-loss powders, foreign-manufactured injections, and boxes and packaging materials of certain Korean injectable products. Officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also visited the hotel and took possession of the products for further examination.
Dr M S reportedly produced an MBBS certificate from Delhi University. However, officials expressed doubts regarding her medical qualifications and decided to write to the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Karnataka Medical Council (KMC) to verify the authenticity of the certificate and obtain details of her professional registration.
Officials said that all relevant information would be gathered before initiating further legal action in the matter.
Commenting on the incident, Health Minister U.T. Khader said he had instructed officials to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action.
“I have directed the officials to investigate reports of such treatments being administered at a hotel. We will examine how injections are being administered at a reputed hotel, what medicines are being used, and whether the persons involved are qualified and legally authorised to provide such treatment. I have also instructed the District Health Officer to look into the matter,” he said.