Fake clinics flourish in Hyderabad’s old city as quacks exploit the poor
Medical quackery continues to pose a serious threat to public health in the slum areas of Hyderabad, where unauthorised individuals run makeshift clinics, exploiting the poor under the pretense of treatment.
Hyderabad: Situated in the dingy lanes of Fatimanagar in Falaknuma, is the small 10×10 feet mulgi (shop), marked by a glowing bulb outside and a green cloth that shields it from public view.
Inside, a couple of benches, a medical examination bed, a chair, a table and a few small boxes containing loose tablets make up the setting. A man, posing as a medical practitioner, listens to elderly people before quickly dispensing a handful of pills into small sachets, promising recovery from various ailments. He is one among many unqualified quacks operating in the old city.
Medical quackery continues to pose a serious threat to public health in the slum areas of Hyderabad, where unauthorised individuals run makeshift clinics, exploiting the poor under the pretense of treatment.
“These quacks typically charge Rs. 40, and hand out unlabelled pills to be taken for three to five days. In some cases, they even administer IV fluids as well. They do not refer patients to government facilities or licensed doctors, and often continue treatment until the patient’s condition becomes critical,” complained Mohammed Najeebuddin (name changed), a local government doctor, who did not wish to be identified.
To avoid getting caught, these illegal clinics operate mainly between 8.30 pm and midnight in several areas. “By 9 pm, the duty hours of the officials of the health department and Drug Control Administration are ended, so there is no risk of any checks. The local leaders collude with the quacks and manage the cops,” alleged Taiyabba Sultana, a social worker from Falaknuma.
These unlicensed clinics have been reported in areas such as Vattepally, Ansari Road, Teegalkunta, Ghousenagar, Jahangirabad, Hafeez Baba Nagar C Block, Amaannagar Siddiquinagar, Moula ka Chilla, Hassannagar Indiranagar, Mahmoodnagar Attapur, Bismillah colony, Balapur and Basharathnagar Kalapathar.
Earlier, a special drive was organised by the city police to check instances of quackery. “Now the police Inspectors are washing off their hands saying there are other departments who should take note of the violations. The quacks are playing with the lives of people and continue to cheat them under the pretext of treatment until the patient’s condition becomes serious,” said Mohammed Nabi, an advocate and a social worker who works with a NGO.
When contacted an official of the Hyderabad police said that the Commissioner’s Task Force along with the health officials conducts raids whenever information is received.
“People can approach the local police or the Task Force if they have any information. Our men are always on the lookout for such quacks and those holding fake degrees and book cases against them,” said the official.
