Telangana Police Arrest Five Fake Eye Doctors Following TGMC Investigation
In a significant crackdown on medical fraud, Telangana Police have arrested five individuals who were posing as qualified ophthalmologists in Miryalaguda. This action comes nearly a month after the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC) exposed their illegal activities, leading to the registration of six First Information Reports (FIRs).
Network of Fraudulent Eye Clinics Uncovered
The investigation began in January when TGMC inspection teams received complaints and discovered a sophisticated network of clinics operating under the names of registered specialists who were actually practicing in Hyderabad and Vijayawada. Seven medical facilities in Miryalaguda were found to be involved in this deception, including Sri Venkateswara Eye Hospital, Sri Mahalakshmi Eye Hospital, Annapurna Netralayam, Yashasvi Eye Hospital, Shalini Eye Clinic, Rapha Vision Care Centre, and Shiva Sai Eye Hospital.
Dr Vijay Kumar of the TGMC explained the findings: "Each of these facilities prominently displayed the name of a registered ophthalmologist. But during our visits, no such doctors were present. Instead, technicians holding diplomas in ophthalmic assistance were consulting patients."
Dangerous Medical Practices and Patient Harm
The inspectors documented numerous illegal activities that put patients at serious risk. The technicians were issuing prescriptions using the "Dr" prefix, stocking allopathic medicines without proper authorization, and even preparing surgical referrals—all actions legally restricted to registered medical practitioners.
In a particularly alarming separate case, investigators found an individual running Komala Medical Shop as an unauthorized treatment facility where injections were being administered. Used syringes were discovered discarded in the open, creating significant public health hazards.
The consequences of these fraudulent practices have already been severe. Dr G Srinivas of the TGMC reported: "In one case, a patient reportedly lost vision in both eyes after being treated by these unqualified technicians. In another instance, a patient was advised surgery on both eyes. When he sought a second opinion from a qualified ophthalmologist, he was told only one eye required treatment."
Police Investigation and Arrests
Miryalaguda police conducted an extensive month-long investigation to build a strong case against the perpetrators. Their efforts included gathering documentary evidence, recording detailed patient statements, and even sending decoy patients to the clinics to document the illegal practices.
The five arrested technicians have been identified as:
- Gaddam Nagaraju
- Shiva Koteshwar Rao
- P Vikas Kumar
- Pammi Venkatesh
- Srinu
TGMC Takes Additional Action
Beyond the police arrests, the Telangana Medical Council has initiated disciplinary proceedings against five ophthalmologists whose names were improperly displayed at the fraudulent clinics. Notices have been issued to Dr Sreekumar, Dr Prabhu Chaitanya, Dr Amar, Dr Basheer, and Dr Rama Seshayya, seeking their explanations for how their names came to be associated with these illegal operations.
Dr Srinivas has urged the district medical and health officer (DM&HO) to implement regular inspections of medical facilities, seize centers operating illegally, and share detailed reports with the council to prevent similar fraud in the future.
This case highlights the critical importance of regulatory oversight in healthcare and the dangers posed by unqualified individuals practicing medicine without proper credentials or supervision.
