The Telangana Medical Council (TMC) has issued a strong advisory to the public to remain vigilant against unauthorized online lab tests and fraudulent health camps. This comes after the revelation of an unapproved health camp, reportedly set up by the "Kakatiya Health Care Centre," at the CKM College Grounds in Desaipet, Warangal. Dr. V. Naresh Kumar, Chairman of the TMC Public Relations Committee, confirmed that the camp was operating without government sanction and deceiving the public.
The investigation revealed that Mukka Arun Kumar, a lab technician from Jangaon district, was behind the camp. Kumar had been offering blood tests at abnormally low rates without the necessary permissions or equipment. When officials examined the situation, they found that the address provided by Kumar was fictitious, and there was no record of approval from the district medical officer. Moreover, the camp was lacking essential medical equipment, raising concerns over the legitimacy of the tests being performed.
One of the most alarming aspects of this scam was the use of forged medical reports, which featured the name of Dr. Sunkari Naresh Babu, a well-known pathologist. Upon contacting Dr. Babu, he denied any association with the camp and confirmed that the reports were fraudulent. Further scrutiny revealed that all reports issued by the camp were entirely fabricated.
Kumar initially claimed to have an agreement with Manipal Laboratories in Hyderabad, but when asked for proof, he admitted there was no such arrangement. Following these revelations, a formal complaint was filed against Kumar with the district medical authorities. In addition, notices will be issued to Dr. Babu and Dr. Pratima, whose names were improperly used in the fake reports.
The TMC has expressed serious concern over the increasing number of unauthorized diagnostic centers in Warangal and other regions of Telangana. These centers, often operated by unqualified individuals, are conducting unnecessary tests and misguiding the public with false claims and discounts. The council has urged the public to verify the credentials of diagnostic centers before using their services to avoid the risks posed by unreliable and unsafe testing practices.
Dr. Naresh Kumar emphasized the importance of safeguarding public health and warned that these fraudulent practices can lead to incorrect medical diagnoses, jeopardizing individuals' health and well-being. The TMC has advised residents to be cautious when encountering online promotions for diagnostic tests and to ensure they only engage with legitimate, government-approved labs.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)