Ensure strict action against quacks, Hyderabad collector instructs health officials

Hyderabad: District collector Harichandana Dasari has instructed health officials to ensure strict action against unlicensed medical practitioners (quacks) operating in Hyderabad, and that all permissions are granted only as per the Clinical Establishment Act.

Chairing the district-level registering authority committee meeting, the collector emphasised the need for a coordinated approach. The collector instructed senior public health officers (SPHOs) to conduct joint inspections with the police and register cases against hospitals running without valid licences. Moreover, hospitals must also seek fresh permissions if there are changes in operations.

The collector also called for inspections of facilities where AYUSH doctors are practising allopathy without authorisation. Of the 374 private hospitals that applied for registration or renewal, as many as 322 were shortlisted by SPHOs. The collector directed that these be inspected and reports submitted within a week. She also stressed the need to verify doctor credentials and any pending cases. As part of a special drive, joint teams will inspect unregistered night clinics.

A list of such facilities has been submitted, and legal action with fines has been ordered.