Fake Health Card Racket for Sabarimala Hotel Workers Exposed; Cards Issued Without Medical Tests
Pathanamthitta: The Kerala Health Department has exposed an alleged fake health card racket involving hotel and restaurant workers at Sabarimala ahead of the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The fraud was detected at Amma Clinic in Seethathode, where health cards were allegedly issued without conducting mandatory medical examinations.
According to media reports, the clinic charged between ₹1,000 and ₹1,500 per health card without conducting the required medical tests. Fitness certificates were also allegedly issued falsely certifying that workers had undergone medical examinations and were free from diseases, including typhoid.
Health cards are mandatory for employees working in hotels and restaurants at Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilakkal. These cards must be issued by authorised doctors after completing the required health examinations and verifying typhoid vaccination.
The alleged racket came to light after clinic representatives contacted hotel operators at Sabarimala over the phone, offering to arrange health cards for their employees. One such call reached Health Department officials, prompting an investigation.
Following this, an 18-member Health Department team visited the clinic posing as hotel operators. During the operation, officials reportedly confirmed that health cards were being issued without conducting the required medical examinations.
A retired surgeon, Dr. Vincent Xavier, is also accused of involvement in the racket. He allegedly signed the health cards and certified that the necessary medical examinations had been completed.
Authorities stated that individuals connected to a similar incident had been caught in 2024. Despite the earlier action, the alleged practice is said to have continued two years later.
Around 250 hotels are currently operating at Sabarimala, employing thousands of workers during the pilgrimage season. A single hotel may have at least 30 employees, making proper medical screening essential to maintaining food safety standards.
The issuance of health cards without medical examinations has raised concerns about food safety and public health, particularly as large numbers of pilgrims depend on hotels and restaurants during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season.
The Health Department is now preparing to take strict action against those involved, including possible cancellation of Amma Clinic's licence. Further action against the doctor and others allegedly involved is also under consideration.