HYDERABAD: Steps were initiated to crackdown on RMPs and PMPs who are using the prefix ‘Dr’ and running In-Patient hospitals and clinics in Telangana. To run a hospital or a nursing home, one needs to register the establishment under The Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act-2010.
Officials said that there have been incidents when patient’s condition turned critical after treatment by RMPs, PMPs and the clinical establishments were seized.
Director of Public Health Dr Y Lalitha Kumari said that instructions were passed to District Medical and Health Officers (DMHO) to collect data on number of registered and unregistered hospitals. She said that the instructions ordering RMPs, PMPs, not to use the prefix ‘Dr’ and to provide only first aid treatment, are old directives.
The process has begun as Nalgonda’s DMHO K Bhanu Prasad Naik has sent circular which stated that some RMPs, PMPs using the title ‘Dr’, and deceiving patients by providing treatment which they are not sure of. He urged authorities of Primary Health Centres (PHC) to make a list of such people who are indulging in the violations, one of which is running in-patients (where patients stay at clinical establishments for treatment) clinics or hospitals.
“We received many complaints and seized such clinics, hospitals. The RMPs, PMPs are supposed to provide only first-aid. After collecting the data, if we find any of them admitting patients or providing medical treatment, their establishment will be seized.” Bhanu Prasad Naik said. “To run a clinic, hospital or nursing home, one needs MBBS degree certificate, they should be registered with Medical Board and should register their establishment with DMHOs,” he said, adding there was an incident where a woman has died after treatment by a RMP.