Probe launched after ‘fake doctor’ allegedly performs surgeries, causes 7 deaths in M.P.’s Damoh

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| Photo Credit: Reuters

Authorities in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh have launched an investigation after allegations were made that a man, impersonating to be a doctor had been performing surgeries on patients at a Christian missionary hospital that have resulted in at least seven deaths, officials said on Saturday (April 5, 2025). 

Allegations were made by a local lawyer Deepak Tiwari, president of district’s Child Welfare Committee, who alleged that one Narendra Yadav had been posing as a cardiologist at Mission Hospital in Damoh, using the identity of Dr. N John Kem, a doctor in Britain.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Tiwari alleged that the man has performed various heart related surgeries and caused seven death even as he suspected a higher toll. 

“We had received a complaint from a patient in February who raised suspicions about a doctor here [at Mission Hospital]. He said that the doctor was unable to conduct diagnosis. When we got behind the matter, he fled the area,” he said. 

Mr. Tiwari said that a probe committee has been formed in the matter after complaints were sent to the District Collector and the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO).

“When documents at the hospital were checked as part of the probe, it was revealed that a man named Narendra Yadav had impersonated the London-based doctor to work here,” he said, adding that the committee’s probe has confirmed seven deaths so far. 

While the hospital trust’s head, Ajay Lal, is currently out of India and could not be reached, an insider in the hospital management told The Hindu that the said man had come to work at the hospital “through a government-approved agency”. 

“After he ran away, we also gave a complaint to the police about his suspicious behaviour. We also submitted all the documents related to him to the administration and probe committee,” he said, requesting anonymity.

Damoh Collector Sudhir Kochar said that the investigation was ongoing in the matter but refused to comment on the deaths.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo also said that the body had received a complaint in this regard.

“We were also told that the missionary hospital is also involved with the Ayushman Bharat scheme and taking money from the government for it. This is a serious complaint; we have taken cognisance of the matter, and an investigation is currently going on,” Mr. Kanoongo said in a statement.