TSMC raids Sharat Cardiac Care Centre after patient receives 2D Echo report from unqualified staffer
HYDERABAD: A serious case of medical malpractice has surfaced in Suryapet, Telangana, where a technician at Sharat Cardiac Care Centre allegedly posed as a doctor and conducted a 2D echocardiogram test in the absence of a qualified clinical cardiologist.
The technician, identified as Vanam Sarat Chandra, was reportedly caught handing over a 2D Echo report to a patient while falsely claiming to be a licensed medical practitioner. The Telangana State Medical Council (TSMC) uncovered the violation during a surprise inspection at the facility in Sri Sri Nagar on Wednesday, following complaints from the public. At the time, neither a clinical cardiologist nor Dr Shireesha (MBBS), under whose name the centre had registered operations, were present.
Forgery Case to Be Filed
TSMC officials Dr V. Naresh Kumar and Dr M. Rajeev led the inspection. They confirmed that a forgery case would be registered under provisions of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act against the technician for impersonating a doctor and providing unauthorized medical services.
In addition, the TSMC found that the centre was functioning under the name of a heart specialist, Dr Leela Krishna. Notices have been issued to both Dr Leela Krishna and Dr Shireesha seeking written explanations for the use of their names. The council stated that further action will be determined by its Ethics Committee after reviewing the responses.
Wider Crackdown on Unauthorized Practice
In an official statement, TSMC said, “During inspections, it was found that a 2D Echo technician, Vanam Sarat Chandra, provided a 2D echo report to a patient, claiming to be a doctor. This occurred without the presence of a qualified clinical cardiologist or MBBS doctor at the facility.”
Dr V Naresh Kumar, Chairman of TSMC’s Public Relations Committee, said such acts are in blatant violation of medical ethics and endanger patient safety. “We have received complaints that similar violations are occurring at other cardiac centres as well. Further inspections will be conducted, and strict action will follow wherever necessary,” he said.
