For more than 26 years, M Srinivas reportedly ran Sai Ram Clinic near Lower Tank Bund in Hyderabad. Police said Srinivas did not have a valid medical licence but continued to treat patients by giving injections and prescribing medicines.
According to the police, Srinivas had earlier worked as a hospital compounder. He later allegedly presented himself as a qualified doctor and started treating patients at his own clinic.
The case came to light as the Hyderabad Commissioner’s Task Force carried out an operation against people accused of practising medicine without the required qualifications. Police said 11 people were arrested during the crackdown.
Officials found that some of the alleged fake doctors had been treating a large number of patients every day. According to the police, some were seeing as many as 100 patients daily and charging between ₹50 and ₹200 for each consultation.
The alleged practitioners reportedly provided treatment for common illnesses and used medicines and injections despite not having the necessary medical qualifications. Such practices can be dangerous because patients may not receive the correct diagnosis or treatment.
Police said some of these individuals had been operating their clinics for several years. Their long-running operations raised concerns about how unqualified medical practitioners were able to continue treating patients without being detected.
The Task Force operation was carried out to prevent people without proper medical training and licences from practising medicine. Officials are also expected to examine the clinics and the medicines being used as part of the investigation.
The issue has highlighted the risks faced by people who unknowingly seek treatment from unqualified practitioners. Patients may choose such clinics because they charge less or are located close to their homes. However, treatment by an unqualified person can lead to incorrect medication, delayed diagnosis, or serious health complications.
Authorities have urged people to check whether a medical practitioner has the required qualifications and registration before receiving treatment. Patients should also be careful when visiting clinics that do not clearly display information about the doctor’s qualifications and registration.
The arrests are part of efforts to identify and stop unauthorised medical practice in Hyderabad. Police are likely to continue checking other clinics and investigating complaints about people who may be treating patients without proper qualifications.
The crackdown has brought attention to the need for stronger monitoring of medical practices. Ensuring that only properly qualified and registered doctors treat patients is important for protecting public health and preventing avoidable medical risks.