A Telangana government doctor was suspended after allegedly sending a private doctor to perform his night duty at Jogipet Area Hospital in Sangareddy on August 5, 2026. A subsequent health department inspection of his private hospital found that nearly 75% of laboratory reagents had expired, along with expired medicines and anaesthesia-related drugs. Officials also flagged biomedical waste segregation and ultrasound facility violations and seized hospital records for further investigation.
Dr. K. Ramesh, a Deputy Civil Surgeon in General Medicine at Jogipet Area Hospital, was scheduled for night duty on August 5. According to Telangana Today, he allegedly sent Dr. Ravi, a private doctor, to perform his duties at the government hospital instead.
on August 7, the Commissioner of Vaidya Vidhana Parishad, Dr. Christina Z Chongthu, subsequently placed Dr. Ramesh under suspension. The proceedings also directed him not to leave Sangareddy district headquarters until further orders.
The incident occurred in the constituency headquarters of Telangana Health Minister Damodara Rajanarasimha, who directed officials to investigate the matter. Authorities are also examining allegations that another doctor at Jogipet Area Hospital had similarly arranged substitutes on multiple occasions.
The investigation subsequently led health officials to KBR Life Care Hospital at Pothireddypally in Sangareddy, which belongs to Dr. Ramesh.
During the inspection, officials found that nearly 75% of laboratory reagents had expired. Officials said using expired reagents could affect laboratory test results and potentially pose risks to patients.
On August 10, the health department sealed the laboratory after the inspection.
Inspectors also found expired drugs and anaesthesia-related medicines in the operation theatre. Pre-filled syringes and medicines were reportedly stored in the operation theatre and refrigerator without proper identification.
Citing patient safety concerns, authorities sealed the operation theatres and prohibited surgical procedures at the facility until further orders.
The inspection also found that the private hospital was not following prescribed biomedical waste segregation procedures.
Officials additionally flagged the hospital's ultrasound facility after finding a mobile ultrasound machine inside the operation theatre. The ultrasound room was subsequently sealed.
According to the inspection findings, further action was proposed under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act and Rules.
The regulatory action relates to the violations identified during the inspection and remains subject to the relevant proceedings.
The inquiry has also expanded to whether Dr Ramesh was attending patients at his private hospital during hours when he was required to perform government duties.
Health officials reportedly found hospital case sheets recording Dr. Ramesh as having examined patients in the morning. Authorities seized the records for further investigation.
Officials are also investigating the role of another government-employed gynaecologist. According to the inspection findings, records allegedly indicated that the doctor had attended outpatients and participated in surgeries at KBR Life Care Hospital during government duty hours. Attendance and procedure records were seized as part of the inquiry.
Authorities did not immediately shut the entire private hospital because five inpatients were receiving treatment when officials conducted the inspection.
The District Medical and Health Officer directed the hospital management to provide necessary treatment to the existing patients and ensure their safe discharge within 48 hours.
The hospital was also directed not to admit new patients or conduct surgeries. The health department has sealed the laboratory, operation theatres and ultrasound facility, while outpatient and inpatient records have been taken into the custody of the DMHO.
(Rh/ARC/MSM)