Notice to 40 Telangana doctors for going hand in hand with quacks | Hyderabad News

HYDERABAD: The Telangana State Medical Council (TGMC) has issued notices to 40 doctors in the state for their association with quacks. Some doctors offered discounts to quacks who referred complicated cases to them.
This referral system, which reveals the strong network of unqualified practitioners, exists across the state. The influence of charlatans is particularly strong in rural areas.
“Many doctors and hospitals in these areas depend on quacks for referrals as people prefer to go to unqualified practitioners and consult qualified doctors only when their health deteriorates,” said Dr G Srinivas, president of the TGMC. In many places, qualified doctors find it almost impossible to operate without the help of these unqualified practitioners. During a recent raid in Gajwel, a diagnostic center was carrying out MRIs and CT scans on the orders of quacks.
“We are taking action against qualified doctors who encourage quacks and give referral fees to patients. Quacks refer complicated cases to doctors and doctors in turn give percentages to quacks. This is unethical according to THE Medical Council of Indiaof Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethical Rules, 2002,” adds Srinivas.
The rules state that a physician shall not give, solicit or receive any gifts, gratuities, commissions or bonuses as reward for referring, recommending or recruiting a patient for medical, surgical or other treatment.
Hyderabad: The Telangana State Medical Council (TGMC) has issued notices to 40 doctors in the state for their association with quacks. Some doctors offered discounts to quacks who referred complicated cases to them.
This referral system, which reveals the strong network of unqualified practitioners, exists across the state. The influence of charlatans is particularly strong in rural areas.
“Many doctors and hospitals in these areas depend on quacks for referrals as people prefer to go to unqualified practitioners and consult qualified doctors only when their health deteriorates,” said Dr G Srinivas, president of the TGMC. In many places, qualified doctors find it almost impossible to operate without the help of these unqualified practitioners. During a recent raid in Gajwel, a diagnostic center was carrying out MRIs and CT scans on the orders of quacks.
“We are taking action against qualified doctors who encourage quacks and give fees to patients. Quacks refer complicated cases to doctors and doctors in turn give percentages to quacks. This is unethical according to the conduct Medical Council of India, Etiquette and Ethical Rules, 2002,” adds Srinivas.
The rules state that a physician shall not give, solicit or receive any gifts, gratuities, commissions or bonuses as reward for referring, recommending or recruiting a patient for medical, surgical or other treatment.