Multi speciality gyms under scanner of KMC

Kolkata: The multi speciality gyms in the city has come under the scanner of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) in the wake of a person falling seriously ill and getting hospitalised after alleged intake of medicine prescribed by a gym instructor.

"It has come to our notice that some gym instructors working with multi speciality gyms in the city have been prescribing medicines to users. They are not entitled to do so. We will find out the gyms that have been indulging in such unfair practices," Member Mayor-in-Council (Health ) Atin Ghosh said.

Ghosh reiterated that the KMC will issue showcause notices to the gym owners involved in irregularities and if their reply is found unsatisfactory, then the civic body may also go to the extent of cancelling its licence.

The health department of KMC has sought medical reports and papers of the patient who is undergoing treatment in a private hospital under

Phoolbagan police station area on Eastern Metropolitan Bypass after taking medicines under the instruction of a gym instructior.

Ghosh has convened a meeting with the officials of KMC's health department on Monday to form a comprehensive plan on how they should go forward with the drive at the multi speciality gyms.

Ghosh said the matter will soon be brought to the notice of the state Health department and Mayor Sovan Chatterjee.

"There has been cases where people have seriously fallen ill after taking medicines as instructed by gym instructors which they feel help in muscle building, loss of weight and six pack abdomen etc. People are also being diagnosed with kidney ailments. Medicines should be taken only after consulting a medical practitioner," a private doctor said.

Ghosh also lashed out at the private hospitals in the city alleging that the latter are not following the guidelines of the National Health Mission while treating patients.

The KMC will undertake health awareness campaign for a period of fourteen days at every borough where lessons pertaining to basic health awareness will be imparted to all people who will be visiting the health

units of the KMC.

"We will also be conducting thyroid, cholesterol and creatinine tests at our clinics soon," Ghosh said.