Put end to Quakery: HRDA demands reinstating surprise govt raids, strict action by Telangana govt

Hyderabad: Acting on the reports of higher officials putting an end to surprise raids at clinics to detects quacks in the state, the doctors attached to the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA) of Telangana have demanded strict action to eradicate quackery from the state.  

 Quacks, also known as Unqualified Medical Practitioners, have emerged as a threat to society, endangering the safety of general public  and the healthcare system. The Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA) of Telangana, has been waging war against quackery to protect the general public's health.

The association have urged the authorities to form committees for inspection. The Health Department officials, professional doctors and Drugs Control Administration must come together as team members and conduct raids to clinics and hospitals to catch the unqualified quacks red handed. 

In order to take appropriate action against quacks, the Director of Public Health (DPH) Dr G Srinivasa Rao in September asked all of the state's doctors to send prescriptions for their findings. The HRDA had started a campaign in this respect, sending out a message to all the doctors urging them to share information about quacks. The group has so far provided five sets of records that include multiple prescriptions and information about unqualified physicians. They have been sending prescriptions to Telangana State Medical Council (TSMC), Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare, and Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr K Mahesh Kumar, president of HRDA said: "The first two prescriptions were sent in September end, the next set was sent on October, the fourth on October 18 and the fifth prescription was sent on November 21. We have so far sent almost 300 prescriptions from various districts across the State. Quackery poses a risk on our public health and as doctors it is our duties to inform the authorities about unethical practices of quacks."

"The government already has ground level infrastructure but there has been a shortage of qualified staff in PHCs. The government should set up 'palle dawakhanas' so that people can rely on government facilities in rural areas instead of going to people without qualifications," he added. 

The association also clarified that strict legal action should be taken on pharmacies and drug distribution companies violating Drugs & Cosmetics ACT rules. Moreover, the quacks must be immediately arrested and properly treated under the law. Dr. Mahesh further stated that the quacks are claiming themselves as doctors and are prescribing anti biotics, steroids and painkillers, whatever they want, without any logic behind it. The government must open its eyes and do the necessary steps to stop quackery. 

" We have been fighting against quakery for 5 years. Recently we came to know that the higher officials have suspended the ongoing raids against the quacks. Now we don't know what this higher authorities are but the Health Minister stated that no such instruction was given and they have never supported the quacks or allowed them to write prescriptions. The medical council, Health Department and Drug Control agencies should work unitedly to fight against quackery," he added.