2D Echo technician impersonated a doctor, MBBS doctor functioned as clinical cardiologist at health centre in Telangana’s Suryapet

Telangana Medical Council uncovers ethical violations at Sarath Cardiac Center in Suryapet where technician posed as doctor and MBBS doctor functioned as clinical cardiologist, sparking concerns about private healthcare practices in district.

A surprise inspection by the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC) at Sarath Cardiac Center in Suryapet district has uncovered serious violations of medical ethics and legal norms, triggering wider concerns about private healthcare practices in the district.

The inspection, carried out on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) by the Council’s officials Dr. V. Naresh Kumar and Dr. M. Rajeev, was prompted by a formal complaint. During the visit, Vanam Sarath Chandra, a 2D Echo technician, was found impersonating a doctor while conducting and interpreting a 2D echocardiogram for a patient. The report was being issued in the presence of Dr. Sirisha, who holds an MBBS degree and functions as a clinical cardiologist at the centre. Both the technician and the doctor were reportedly operating beyond their professional qualifications.

The council also discovered that the centre had been operating under the license of Dr. Leelakrishna, a certified cardiologist, which was registered under the Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act. However, his credentials were allegedly misused to issue diagnostic reports generated by unqualified staff, raising serious concerns about patient safety.

“These actions are a gross violation of medical ethics and professional conduct, and they endanger patients’ lives,” said Dr. Naresh Kumar, who also serves as the chairman of TGMC’s Public Relations Committee. Notices have been issued to both Dr. Leelakrishna and Dr. Sirisha, seeking a written explanation. Based on their responses, the council’s Ethics Committee will decide on disciplinary action.

The raid has put a spotlight on a larger problem. On Thursday (April 17, 2025) the Suryapet chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) submitted a detailed complaint to the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO), alleging that a majority of private hospitals in the district are indulging in unethical and illegal practices. The IMA’s letter, also marked to senior health officials including the Health Secretary and Health Minister, calls for urgent regulatory intervention.

According to the IMA, many private hospitals—especially those run by non-doctor managements—are operating using the medical registration certificates of doctors without their knowledge or consent. In some cases, doctors who have long resigned, are still being shown as active consultants. The association also highlighted instances where inactive or retired doctors allegedly “rent out” their credentials to these facilities, which then use them to secure licenses and avoid scrutiny.

The IMA estimated that nearly 80% of private hospitals in the district may be operating without adhering to basic clinical and ethical standards. “This has turned healthcare into a commercial enterprise, leading to public distrust and damage to the profession’s image,” the letter said.