Contradicting Popular Belief, Quackery Thrives in Cities with Top Hospitals
Hyderabad: Despite the assumption that quackery is more prevalent in rural areas due to a shortage of qualified doctors, 75% of fake doctors in Telangana operate in urban centers like Hyderabad, according to experts at a recent debate hosted by the Indian Medical Association (IMA)-Telangana.
The discussion, titled ‘Public Health? Immediate Need for Action Against Quackery’, was held on Sunday and highlighted the alarming presence of unqualified practitioners in cities with top government and private hospitals.
Decades-Old Issue: Unqualified Practitioners Masquerading as Doctors
IMA Telangana president Dwarkanath Reddy pointed out that quackery has been an ongoing issue, with individuals illegally practicing medicine under the guise of Rural Medical Practitioners (RMPs) and Private Medical Practitioners (PMPs).
A writ petition filed in the Telangana High Court resulted in a ruling that only registered doctors can practice medicine. The court further clarified that certification programs for RMPs and PMPs should not be permitted, reinforcing the legal stance against unqualified medical practitioners.
With quackery posing a serious public health risk, experts are calling for immediate regulatory action to curb the growing trend of fake doctors, particularly in urban areas.
