Regulatory Lapses Allow Unqualified Doctors to Operate Freely in Hyderabad
The alarming presence of unqualified medical practitioners in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy has raised fresh concerns over the effectiveness of regulatory oversight. A recent case involving an individual running an infirmary centre under a fraudulent identity has put the spotlight on gaps in the verification and monitoring process at the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) level. The Telangana Medical Council apprehended Chandrasekhar, who was operating a clinic under the credentials of a registered doctor. Investigations revealed that Chandrasekhar lacked an MBBS degree and was not a registered medical practitioner, yet managed to obtain a registration certificate from the Ranga Reddy DMHO. While the DMHO has denied any administrative failure, the incident has exposed severe deficiencies in the regulatory framework that governs healthcare facilities, making the public vulnerable to medical malpractice. Experts argue that a lack of rigorous field inspections, coupled with the growing number of private clinics and hospitals, is allowing such cases to slip through the cracks.
The scale of the challenge is evident in the sheer number of medical establishments requiring oversight. Hyderabad alone has 2,919 registered clinical facilities under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, with Ranga Reddy accounting for approximately 3,000 more. DMHO officials admit that conducting physical inspections for all these facilities is nearly impossible given their limited manpower. In Ranga Reddy, for instance, the District Registering Authority operates with just two to three officials, making regular checks infeasible. The difficulty in enforcing regulations has led to a surge in unverified medical facilities, putting citizens at significant risk of malpractice, misdiagnosis, and compromised treatment. Additionally, hospitals and clinics must go through an elaborate registration process that includes acquiring building permits, fire safety NOCs, and documentation for each medical service offered. However, officials acknowledge that compliance remains an ongoing issue, with many facilities failing to meet essential safety and administrative requirements.
Beyond the regulatory concerns, the unchecked proliferation of unqualified practitioners also poses a significant challenge to public health sustainability. Without strict verification and accountability, illegal clinics can become breeding grounds for medical negligence, resulting in mismanaged treatments, improper prescription practices, and even fatalities. The long-term impact of such unchecked operations can burden the healthcare system, leading to increased cases of complications that require emergency interventions in government hospitals. Furthermore, the lack of stringent oversight is eroding public trust in private healthcare institutions. In an era where urban populations are growing rapidly, Hyderabad’s medical sector must embrace digital monitoring tools and more robust inspection mechanisms to ensure the quality and authenticity of healthcare services. Implementing AI-driven verification systems and centralised data monitoring could significantly strengthen the regulatory framework and curb such malpractices.
The broader civic implications of this issue cannot be ignored. The Telangana government had mandated all clinical establishments—including private clinics, nursing homes, and hospitals—to register under the 2010 Act through a government order in 2022. However, implementation gaps persist, with 464 facilities still operating under provisional registrations, and 89 pending renewals. Authorities have launched awareness campaigns to educate medical professionals about compliance, with the Hyderabad DMHO organising a special programme at Harihara Kala Bhavan. Officials insist that many lapses arise due to ignorance rather than intentional malpractice, but with cases like Chandrasekhar’s emerging, it is clear that stronger enforcement is needed. The lack of structured monitoring mechanisms not only endangers public health but also raises ethical concerns about the state of medical governance in Hyderabad. Strengthening the DMHO’s inspection capacity and implementing stringent verification processes will be crucial in preventing unqualified practitioners from exploiting regulatory loopholes and ensuring safe healthcare for all.
