HYDERABAD: Do you check a doctor’s medical council registration number whenever you go to a clinic? That would be the last thing on your mind. But from next time, you had better look out for that registration.
On Thursday, the task force sleuths caught a nurse for posing as a doctor and operating a clinic in Kanchanbagh. In the last week of February, three persons were arrested for allegedly practising as doctors without any medical qualification. In short, there are quite a few Munnabhais in the State capital!
None other than District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) P Venkateshwara Rao revealed, “Many RMPs are practising as doctors in some parts of the city.”
Venkateshwara Rao said they check registration certificates of doctors, issued by the Medical Council, before giving permission for a Nursing Home. But the procedure is not followed when it comes to clinics.
However, Subhash Chandra Bose, DMHO, Ranga Reddy, said DMHOs should follow the procedure for clinics as well. “A person who is registered with the Medical Council can operate a clinic. But just by completing MBBS, a person cannot open a clinic. Registration is mandatory.” But the officials said they take action against imposters only if they receive a complaint.
Officials from the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council, on the other hand, said they issue unique registration numbers to those who register with them, and this could be used to verify if a doctor has genuine credentials or if he is an impostor.
The officials said it is mandatory for a doctor to display the registration number issued by the Medical Council. “If we receive complaints, we request the police to book a criminal case against such impostors,” said Dr E Ravindra Reddy , chairman, Andhra Pradesh Medical Council.
Beware!
■ Many RMPs posing as doctors and operating clinics in the city
■ Doctors operating clinics should display registration number issued by the Medical Council
■ Lodge a complaint with the State Medical Council or DMHO if you spot a quack