Hyderabad: Doctors called on the Telangana govt to take stricter action against rural medical practitioners (RMPs), particularly in urban areas like Hyderabad.
At a discussion on quackery organised by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Telangana at its Koti office on Sunday, doctors highlighted that around 50,000 to 60,000 unlicensed medical practitioners without an MBBS degree are operating across the state. Of these, nearly 75% work in urban areas, including Hyderabad and Warangal. “There should be a complete crackdown on quacks in urban areas, especially in Hyderabad,” said Dr D Dwarakanatha Reddy, state president, IMA.
Crackdown & arrests
“Most of these quacks run their centres as a family profession for years. The govt should issue recruitment notifications to employ the 10,000 MBBS graduates who pass out every year.”
Since Feb 2024, the Telangana Medical Council has filed 412 FIRs against RMPs, with 180 in Hyderabad alone. This includes 11 recent cases — eight in Hyderabad and three in Sangareddy.
“Most were arrested, and chargesheets were filed, but many are out on bail and resumed their practice,” said Dr G Srinivas, TGMC vice-chairman. Of 412 cases, trials began in only three cases — one each in Banjara Hills, Karimnagar, and Asifabad.
Meanwhile, the Drugs Control Administration has registered 152 cases against quacks since Jan 2024 for illegally stocking and selling medicines. This includes 15 cases in 2025 so far. Several higher-generation antibiotics, steroids, and anti-ulcer drugs were seized.
“These quacks prescribe irrational drug combinations that can damage kidney nephrons, leading to kidney failure in some cases,” Dr Srinivas warned.
Need qualified doctors
Telangana has 5,500 sub-centres, each covering at least two to three villages, but there is a severe shortage of qualified doctors, nurses, and pharmacists — even in cities, noted Dr Dwarakanatha Reddy. Instead of a temporary fix, the govt should focus on integrating qualified doctors into primary healthcare services, said Dr Ranga Reddy Burri, chairman, public health & community services, IMA Telangana.
“This should align with the Alma-Ata and Astana Declarations on universal health coverage,” he said. “The family physician concept must be central to ensuring health equity and access.”
At a discussion on quackery organised by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Telangana at its Koti office on Sunday, doctors highlighted that around 50,000 to 60,000 unlicensed medical practitioners without an MBBS degree are operating across the state. Of these, nearly 75% work in urban areas, including Hyderabad and Warangal. “There should be a complete crackdown on quacks in urban areas, especially in Hyderabad,” said Dr D Dwarakanatha Reddy, state president, IMA.
Crackdown & arrests
“Most of these quacks run their centres as a family profession for years. The govt should issue recruitment notifications to employ the 10,000 MBBS graduates who pass out every year.”
Since Feb 2024, the Telangana Medical Council has filed 412 FIRs against RMPs, with 180 in Hyderabad alone. This includes 11 recent cases — eight in Hyderabad and three in Sangareddy.
“Most were arrested, and chargesheets were filed, but many are out on bail and resumed their practice,” said Dr G Srinivas, TGMC vice-chairman. Of 412 cases, trials began in only three cases — one each in Banjara Hills, Karimnagar, and Asifabad.
Meanwhile, the Drugs Control Administration has registered 152 cases against quacks since Jan 2024 for illegally stocking and selling medicines. This includes 15 cases in 2025 so far. Several higher-generation antibiotics, steroids, and anti-ulcer drugs were seized.
“These quacks prescribe irrational drug combinations that can damage kidney nephrons, leading to kidney failure in some cases,” Dr Srinivas warned.
Need qualified doctors
Telangana has 5,500 sub-centres, each covering at least two to three villages, but there is a severe shortage of qualified doctors, nurses, and pharmacists — even in cities, noted Dr Dwarakanatha Reddy. Instead of a temporary fix, the govt should focus on integrating qualified doctors into primary healthcare services, said Dr Ranga Reddy Burri, chairman, public health & community services, IMA Telangana.
“This should align with the Alma-Ata and Astana Declarations on universal health coverage,” he said. “The family physician concept must be central to ensuring health equity and access.”
