Article Today, Hyderabad: A growing number of fake MD doctors in Telangana are misleading the public by falsely claiming specialist qualifications. They are exploiting foreign medical degrees that are only equivalent to MBBS in their respective countries but are being misrepresented here as MD (Doctor of Medicine) to pose as specialists.
Corporate Hospitals Encouraging Fake Boards
Take the case of Dr. Vishweshwara Rao (name changed), who completed a foreign MD course equivalent to MBBS and currently works at a corporate hospital in Hyderabad as a general physician. Shockingly, the hospital itself has allowed him to display a board that reads “MD”, misleading patients into believing he is a specialist. He was recently exposed during a crackdown on fake medical practitioners.
Doctors Practicing Beyond Their Qualification
Another example is Dr. Rajaram (name changed) from Ranga Reddy district. He completed a similar foreign MD course and now claims to be a cardiologist. He prescribes medication for heart conditions, although he refers surgical cases to others. He too was flagged during a recent inspection. Such cases are becoming increasingly common in the state.
Private Hospitals and Colleges Involved
Sources from the medical community reveal that around 150 hospitals in the state are run by individuals holding such degrees. These facilities are functioning without valid registrations. Adding to the concern, some private medical colleges are hiring such individuals as faculty or even ghost faculty, worsening the credibility crisis in medical education.
Patients Tricked by Misleading Titles
Patients are being misled by these doctors who prominently display titles like “MD (US)” or “MD (France)” on their boards. They claim specializations in cardiology, orthopaedics, nephrology, radiology, and more. Often, they are just MBBS graduates or foreign-trained doctors without proper Indian qualifications. Despite clear rules, these practitioners are freely operating in cities and towns alike.
Health Officials Accused of Negligence
Medical officers in several districts are facing allegations of turning a blind eye in return for bribes. Though responsible for verifying doctor credentials, many reportedly fail to act against these fake MD doctors. This inaction has further emboldened such frauds and compromised public health.
Dangerous Outcomes from Misdiagnosis
Several instances of failed treatments have come to light. In one shocking case, a young girl died after receiving improper care from a doctor claiming a foreign MD degree. The incident, which occurred in Hyderabad, was allegedly hushed up by the hospital management to avoid scrutiny.
TSMC Warnings Being Ignored
The Telangana State Medical Council (TSMC) has issued clear guidelines instructing doctors to only use “MBBS” on their name boards unless they hold officially recognized postgraduate degrees. The council emphasized that additional qualifications must be registered either with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the TSMC. However, many doctors continue to ignore these directions.
Regulatory Loopholes Being Exploited
As per the rules, doctors trained abroad must complete a compulsory rotating internship in India before they can receive permanent registration. Yet, several foreign-trained individuals are bypassing this requirement and practicing freely, often by paying bribes, according to multiple reports.
Call for Strict Enforcement
The TSMC has been actively cracking down on unqualified rural medical practitioners (RMPs). Now, there is growing demand that it apply the same level of scrutiny and enforcement to those fraudulently claiming MD status. Public health experts argue that without immediate action, trust in the healthcare system could further erode. This alarming trend calls for urgent attention from both the state medical council and law enforcement authorities. Patient safety must take precedence over profit or prestige.
