Telangana’s Public Health at Risk: 50,000 Unqualified Practitioners Thrive Amid Regulatory Lapses
Unchecked Quackery Fuels Medicine Abuse Across the State, Raising Alarm for Public Safety
Hyderabad: Telangana is grappling with a burgeoning public health crisis as thousands of unqualified individuals continue to practice allopathy illegally.
These so-called ‘doctors’ not only lack the requisite MBBS degree but also contribute to the rampant misuse of antibiotics, steroids, and painkillers—putting countless lives at risk.
The State Public Health Wing, particularly the District Health and Medical Officers (DM&HO), has the authority under the Clinical Establishment Act to curb such illegal practices. Yet, despite these powers, enforcement remains lax. According to estimates from the Telangana State Medical Council, there are between 50,000 and 53,000 unqualified practitioners operating in the state. Shockingly, in Hyderabad alone, over 10,000 such individuals are believed to be illegally practicing allopathy, endangering public health.
As quackery continues to thrive unchecked, the absence of stringent action from the government and healthcare authorities raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the existing regulatory framework. This unchecked menace highlights an urgent need for decisive interventions to safeguard the health and well-being of Telangana’s citizens.