Hyderabad: Following Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s assurance to eliminate the menace of fake doctors, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Telangana State Medical Council (TGMC) have ramped up efforts to combat the issue. Officials reported that over 400 FIRs have been filed, leading to more than 300 arrests so far.
In the past month alone, nearly 50 unqualified individuals practicing medicine were apprehended across various districts. The latest arrest occurred on Monday in the Uppal area of the city through a coordinated operation involving the IMA, TGMC, and the Drugs Control Authority (DCA).
“We have been advocating for stringent action against fake doctors and quacks, and it is heartening to see the Chief Minister and Governor recognize this issue as a serious threat. The Chief Minister’s commitment to taking action against quacks and ensuring the protection of medical professionals is a welcome move,” said Dr. Prabhu Kumar Chalagalli, Chairman of the IMA Anti-Quackery Committee. He added that many unqualified practitioners have already been jailed as a result of these efforts.
Authorities confirmed that at least 200 unqualified practitioners have been imprisoned, with police providing robust support by promptly taking action and expediting the filing of chargesheets.
“The police are cooperating effectively in most cases, ensuring that cases reach the courts without delay,” said TGMC Chairman Dr. G. Srinivas.
Officials highlighted that the coordination among the IMA, TGMC, and DCA has strengthened the legal cases against fake practitioners. Violations are being prosecuted under provisions of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, making the cases more robust.
This concerted effort has resulted in nearly 50 arrests in the last month alone, further bolstering the campaign against unqualified medical practitioners.