Hyderabad: Despite glaring violations by several private hospitals and diagnostic centres operating without licences or qualified staff in Suryapet district, no decisive action has been taken yet by the district medical and health authorities, speakers alleged at a round table meeting held on Sunday.
Organised by the Telangana Youth Federation, the discussion focused on the deteriorating condition of healthcare for the poor, the proliferation of fake doctors, and the government’s silence. Addressing the gathering, Telangana Youth Federation state general secretary Anantula Madhu said, “The DMHO’s failure to act on even clear evidence from Telangana Medical Council inspections shows shocking negligence. He must be immediately suspended and a full inquiry should be initiated.”
He referred to a surprise inspection conducted nearly two weeks ago by members of the Telangana Medical Council, which had found that some private hospitals and the Apple Scan Centre in Suryapet were functioning without mandatory registrations or qualified staff. Although the council made the violations public, district authorities have failed to act decisively, he said.
On May 2, activists had lodged a complaint with the additional collector, demanding action against these unlicensed facilities. DMHO officials then issued showcause notices but reportedly failed to follow up. “The week is over. No action has been taken despite their own warnings,” Madhu said.
Speakers alleged that these centres were violating provisions of the National Medical Commission Act (2019) and the PCPNDT Act (1994), using fake degrees, and misleading patients. Questions were raised on how DMHO granted permissions and renewals without verifying eligibility or medical registrations.
Telangana Janasamithi state secretary Kuntla Dharma Rjuna said the government has abandoned its responsibility in ensuring public health. “Education and healthcare are now out of reach for the common person,” he said, calling for a state-level complaint against the so-called medical mafia in Suryapet.
Mass Line Party district secretary Kothapalli Shiva Kumar said, “Healthcare has become a bunch of sour grapes for the poor. We need a collective fight against this mafia and the DMHO’s inaction.”
Speakers from across journalists’ associations, student unions, and civil society similar demands. They said action must be taken not just against the quacks but also against the officials who enabled or turned a blind eye to such violations.
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