Hyderabad: Unregistered clinics offering low-cost piles treatment are becoming a major public health threat in Telangana, exposing patients to serious and sometimes fatal complications. Driven by social stigma and the promise of cheap, quick procedures, many patients are turning to unqualified practitioners, often with devastating consequences.
Recent Incidents Highlight Deadly Risks
Two alarming cases in November underscored the gravity of the situation. A 17-year-old student from Mallapur, Medchal, died after undergoing a procedure at a private clinic in Hayathnagar. In another incident, a 29-year-old man from Narsampet, Warangal, was left in critical condition following surgery at an unregistered facility. Earlier reports also revealed that a 16-year-old boy died after a botched piles treatment performed by a quack, prompting police to register a negligence case.
Clinics Operating Without Basic Medical Standards
Health experts and public health advocates warn that these unauthorised centres pose serious risks because they lack licences, sterile environments, and trained surgical teams. Estimates suggest Telangana has nearly nine hundred such clinics, including a significant concentration in Hyderabad and Warangal. Many are run from small rented spaces, offering procedures without anaesthesia, infection control, or proper medical equipment.
Experts Warn Against “Quick Fix” Procedures
Senior general surgeon Dr Naresh Kumar V told TOI that the perception of piles treatment as a simple procedure is a dangerous misconception. Proper treatment, he said, requires thorough clinical evaluation, safe anaesthesia, and controlled post-operative care. When untrained practitioners perform such procedures, the risk of severe bleeding, sepsis, fistula formation, and even death increases sharply.
Use of Crude Tools Adds to the Danger
Members of the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC) note that some clinics use crude instruments or perform procedures without sterilisation. TGMC vice chairman Dr G. Srinivas stressed that only qualified general surgeons with fully equipped operating theatres should perform piles surgeries. He emphasised that many illegal units function in makeshift setups that fall far below minimum medical standards.
Social Stigma and Cost Fuel the Problem
Experts say the crisis reflects a combination of medical negligence, regulatory gaps, and social stigma. IMA Gajwel president Dr A. Lingam said many patients avoid registered hospitals due to embarrassment about anorectal diseases, making them vulnerable to quacks. He added that most victims come from less-educated backgrounds and are easily persuaded by low-cost options.
Wide Price Gap Encourages Unsafe Choices
Quacks in rural areas reportedly charge a few thousand rupees per procedure, while illegal clinics in Hyderabad demand higher fees. In contrast, surgeries performed by qualified specialists at recognised hospitals cost significantly more. This price gap, coupled with hesitancy to seek formal care, drives patients toward unsafe treatments that can lead to life-threatening outcomes.
Officials Promise Stronger Action
Authorities acknowledge that enforcement has not kept pace with the rise of illegal clinics. A senior health department official told TOI that it remains too easy for untrained individuals to pose as piles specialists. Plans are underway for stricter inspections, tougher penalties, and easier reporting systems. Experts also urge the government to expand awareness campaigns, verify practitioner credentials, and improve access to affordable treatment. “No embarrassment is worth risking your life,” said Dr Naresh Kumar, urging patients to seek care only from qualified surgeons.
