HRDA urges Government to establish an empowered task force involving TGMC, DMHOs, Drugs Control Administration and Police to crack down on illegal medical practice across Telangana
The Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA), Telangana, has urged the state authorities to take decisive action on the lines of HYDRAA, EAGLE and HFAST by establishing a dedicated, empowered and active statewide task force to completely eradicate fake doctors, quacks and illegal medical practices.
The association highlighted the seriousness of the issue by referring to recent deaths reported from Khammam, Mahabubabad, Jangaon and Hyderabad following treatment, injections or other medical interventions allegedly provided by persons functioning as Rural Medical Practitioners (RMPs), quacks or Grameena Vaidhyulu.
“These incidents demonstrate that quackery is not an isolated local issue but a serious statewide public-health threat, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas,” HRDA stated.
HRDA Calls for Continuous Surveillance Against Quackery
The association said that curbing quackery cannot be limited to raids and requires continuous surveillance, coordinated inspections, seizure and closure of illegal clinics, action against illegal drug distribution and effective prosecution of those practising medicine without lawful authority.
HRDA appreciated the action taken by the Hyderabad Task Force and police authorities in apprehending 11 persons allegedly posing as doctors and practising medicine without valid medical qualifications. Fake medical certificates, medicines, injections and other medical materials were reportedly seized during the raids, highlighting the seriousness of illegal medical practice.
However, the association said the apprehension of 11 persons was only the “tip of the iceberg”. According to HRDA, thousands of unqualified persons are operating across Telangana under the guise of Rural Medical Practitioners (RMPs), quacks or Grameena Vaidhyulu without recognised medical degrees or valid registration.
The association alleged that many such persons illegally practise modern medicine and engage in mixopathy, including prescribing medicines and administering injections and intravenous fluids, thereby putting unsuspecting patients at serious risk.
Task Force Should Include Medical Council, Health Officials, Drugs Control and Police
HRDA demanded that the proposed task force bring together the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC), District Medical & Health Officers (DMHOs), Drugs Control Administration (DCA) and Police Department.
The association said the task force should have clearly defined responsibilities, accountability and authority to conduct coordinated statewide operations against illegal medical practice.
Its mandate should include identifying and shutting down illegal medical establishments, prosecuting persons practising medicine without lawful authority, mapping suspected quacks and illegal clinics, conducting joint inspections, seizing illegally stocked medicines and medical equipment, closing unauthorised establishments and initiating prosecution in accordance with law.
DMHOs and Drugs Control Administration Urged to Act
The District Medical & Health Officers (DMHOs) must actively discharge their field-level regulatory responsibilities, HRDA said.
The association further urged the Drugs Control Administration to take firm action against the illegal stocking, sale and distribution of medicines. It also called upon the Police Department to provide necessary enforcement and investigative support during operations.
Hyderabad Task Force Operation Should Become Statewide Model
HRDA urged the Telangana Government to treat the recent Hyderabad Task Force operation as a model for sustained statewide enforcement rather than an isolated exercise.
The reported deaths allegedly following treatment by Rural Medical Practitioners, quacks or Grameena Vaidhyulu, the association said, further underline the urgent need for a coordinated statewide and zero-tolerance approach against unauthorised medical practice.
Speaking to Medical Dialogues, HRDA President Dr. Karthik Nagula said, “Quackery is not an alternative system of healthcare. It is unauthorised medical practice that can endanger human lives. Protecting citizens from unqualified practitioners is a fundamental public-health responsibility, and the Government must act decisively to ensure that every citizen receives treatment only from a properly qualified, registered and legally authorised healthcare professional.”