A man posing as a doctor has been arrested at the Seguros La Paz center in La California, a parish of Leoncio Martínez in the Sucre municipality of Miranda state, Venezuela. The suspect, identified as Neftalí Pérez Azócar, 56, is accused of impersonating a physician and the illegal sale of medications.
Douglas Rico, director of the Criminal Investigations, Scientific, Penal and Forensic Body (Cicpc), announced the arrest on Instagram, stating that the operation was carried out by officials from the Division of Investigations of Crimes Against Public Health.
False Doctor’s Practices
According to investigators, Pérez Azócar was allegedly making diagnoses and prescribing medication to patients using a quantum device seized during the operation. Authorities determined that the results generated by the equipment were false. The Cicpc’s Computer Expertise Division collaborated with personnel from the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (Ivic) to reach this conclusion.
The investigation also revealed that the suspect was issuing prescriptions for conditions patients did not actually have. When asked to provide documentation verifying his medical credentials, Pérez Azócar reportedly admitted to having only a high school education and having completed an online course in natural medicine.
The search of his practice uncovered a large quantity of medications, including controlled substances and expired drugs, as well as psychotropic substances, medical implements, and a laptop. The case has been turned over to the Public Ministry for further action.
The arrest comes amid growing concerns about unqualified individuals practicing medicine, a problem that extends beyond Venezuela. In South Africa, the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) revealed that 55 people were arrested between 2021 and 2022 for either being bogus doctors or committing fraud, according to a report from MedicalBrief. The HPCSA has been actively working to combat the issue, with fines ranging from R25,000 to R70,000 imposed on those found guilty of misconduct.
Similar cases have been reported in other countries. In Venezuela, reports of individuals falsely claiming to be doctors – including specialists like gynecologists and anesthesiologists – have increased in recent months, according to Voice of America. The medical community attributes this rise to a lack of government oversight and enforcement against the illegal practice of medicine. One recent case involved a woman performing cosmetic surgeries after learning techniques from YouTube and Facebook videos.
The dangers of unqualified individuals practicing medicine are significant, potentially leading to misdiagnosis, improper treatment, and serious harm to patients. Authorities are urging the public to report any suspicions about medical practitioners to the appropriate regulatory bodies.
