Hyderabad: 30 Self-Proclaimed Doctors on Telangana State Medical Council’s (TSMC) Radar (Representative Image)
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Hyderabad: Working at mid-sized hospitals, a batch of individuals posed as doctors to offer treatment advice on social media, with their followers ranging from 1 to 3 lakhs. They are giving tips and drugs to patients relating to obesity, diabetes, hypertension and even infertility. A total of 35 such self-proclaimed health experts are currently under investigation by the Telangana State Medical Council (TSMC) now. All of them were wearing stethoscopes despite lacking medical qualifications while telling their expertise to patients.
Earlier, the TSMC had nabbed a person for impersonating as an ICU emergency specialist. It turned out that the individual giving health advice, did not even possess a paramedic degree. Many suspects of the so-called ‘experts’ are even recommending drugs or health supplements for various conditions via videos.
Personal Care Specialist Offers Treatment on Sexual Health Problems
Among these is an individual who identifies as a cosmetic, and personal care specialist with a background in ‘hospitality’. According to the officials, the accused used to frequently issue prescriptions for a range of issues — from obesity to skin discoloration and sexual health problems. This self-proclaimed doctor has 3 lakh followers on social media.
“An untrained person offering any nutritional advice, prescribing medications, drugs, or posing as a doctor inside a hospital setting is not allowed as per the law. Such actions are considered impersonation and are punishable,” said Dr G Srinivas, Chairman of TSMC, quoted by TOI.
TSMC officials found that many unqualified professionals were prescribing infertility drugs, pregnancy-inducing drugs, and steroids to paediatric patients, which is a grave violation. In a massive crackdown, 20 clinics run by such unqualified persons were raided.
