TG doctors’ associations slam Manakondur MLA’s comments endorsing quackery

Doctors’ associations across Telangana have condemned Manakondur MLA Kavvampally Satyanarayana’s statements after a video surfaced showing the legislator endorsing unqualified medical practitioners during a meeting.

In the video, the MLA not only defended the illegal practices of these practitioners but also appeared to pressure officials questioning their actions.

The controversy erupted after the MLA participated in a gathering with rural medical practitioners (RMPs), who are not legally certified to practice modern medicine. During the meeting, Mr. Satyanarayana lauded their role in villages, claiming that they save people’s money by providing basic treatment and even minor surgical intervention. He said, “In earlier days, people without medical qualifications have done a lot of service to people.”

To these remarks, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Telangana Junior Doctors’ Network issued a response, stating, “Such statements are not only misleading and medically unethical but also pose a direct threat to public health, especially in rural and underserved regions. At a time when the medical fraternity is working to improve healthcare delivery and public trust, these remarks undermine both the law and the efforts of qualified professionals.”

Echoing similar sentiments, the Telangana Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (THANA) called the remarks shocking and highly irresponsible, especially coming from someone who belongs to the medical fraternity.

The Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA) also condemned the MLA’s comments, saying, “The blatant endorsement of quackery by an elected public representative poses a grave threat to public health and constitutes a serious breach of medical ethics by undermining the credibility and safety of the healthcare system.”

All the associations have demanded a public apology from the MLA and called on the Telangana government to issue a clarification reaffirming its commitment to curbing quackery in line with National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines.