Botched treatment: RMPs slowly losing credibility in Mancherial

Scores of RMPs were booked for allegedly flouting the Telangana State Medical Practitioners Registration Act, National Medical Council Act and duping public in different parts of Mancherial, based on complaints lodged by members of Telangana Medical Council (TGMC) a few months back. Investigations were still underway.

Mancherial: Rural Medical Practitioners (RMP) in the district are gradually losing their credibility following the deaths of two patients allegedly caused by negligence of two practitioners in the district in recent times.

On September 30, Chintam Srilatha, 24, the wife of coal miner Raju from Nagarjuna Colony in Naspur mandal died allegedly due to botched treatment provided by a local RMP, Birudula Prashanth. Before this, Battula Madhukar, 26, from Korvichelma in Luxettipet mandal was declared dead by doctors of a hospital in Hyderabad on September 26.

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Madhukar was also treated by one Srinivas, an RMP from Kannepalli village in Dandepalli mandal. Both Srilatha and Madhukar consulted the RMPs when they were down with fever. They lost consciousness when the RMPs administered an injection. They were later declared brain dead. Subsequently, Pranshanth and Srinivas were arrested.

In February, an eight-year-old girl from Ramakrishnapur died of cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment at the government general hospital. A local RMP had allegedly administered antibiotics to her and other unnecessary high dose injections resulting in her death. However, he reportedly managed to cover up his act by offering Rs 1 lakh to parents of the girl.

Already, scores of RMPs were booked for allegedly flouting the Telangana State Medical Practitioners Registration Act, National Medical Council Act and duping public in different parts of Mancherial, based on complaints lodged by members of Telangana Medical Council (TGMC) a few months back. Investigations were still underway.

“A section of RMPs who were supposed to be confined to provide first aid, were found to be offering a wide range of medical services including administration of antibiotics, steroids and high doses of drugs, infusion of saline and performing surgeries. They were providing the services by creating beds on par with licensed hospitals,” a member of TGMC said.

During surprise inspections by members of TGMC and officials concerned, it was revealed that some of the RMPs were performing abortions using Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MPT) kits by charging hefty fees. The RMPs were treating infants, children, besides running diagnostic centres and medical stores.

Srinivas, leader of Mancherial District RMPs Association said they were playing a vital role in providing medical services to the public from rural parts. He opined that their services could not be doubted by sporadic incidents of botched treatment. He added that around 1,000 persons were relying on the occupation in the district.

District Medical and Health Officer Dr Harish Raj said that awareness was being created among the RMPs over the consequences of unethical practices of medicine. He stated that they were instructed not to prescribe drugs and not to provide medical services except for the first aid. He warned that stringent action would be taken against quacks.