Telangana dermatologists unite against quackery, demand stricter medical regulations

EKALAVYA MALLEPALlI | Hyderabad 

The next time you go to a doctor, do check their credentials. There are more than 10,000 quacks operating in Telangana dishing out antibiotics, painkillers, and steroids and in the process endangering the lives of patients.

Dermatologists across Telangana have launched a vigorous campaign against the growing menace of quackery in skin and hair care treatments. Dr. Rajetha Damisetty aims to raise awareness about the dangers posed by unqualified individuals who perform aesthetic procedures without proper medical training or credentials.

At a press meet held at the Press Club in Somajiguda, prominent dermatologists highlighted the public health risks posed by unlicensed practitioners and called for urgent regulatory reforms.

Dr. Putta Srinivas, former principal of Osmania Medical College, expressed alarm over the increasing number of dentists practicing dermatology and cosmetology, which violates the guidelines of the Dental Council of India (DCI). "Some are opening hair clinics after completing just a few weeks of training. This is a serious risk to public health. Innocent people are being misled and harmed, while genuine dermatologists spend years training in medical institutions," he said.

He further announced that the dermatology community in Hyderabad is preparing for a nationwide campaign to curb such illegal practices, which are not only harming patients but also eroding trust in the medical profession.

Dr. Rajetha Damisetty, who has been at the forefront of this campaign, said she has filed over 300 complaints against fraudulent practitioners. While some clinics were temporarily shut down, many have reopened, continuing to put patients at risk. She also expressed concern about certain certified dermatologists offering short courses to unqualified individuals, thereby enabling illegal practice.

She further revealed shocking cases where patients were prescribed anti-cancer medications for minor conditions like acne and psoriasis. “Some medications being given to young married women can cause serious birth defects,” she warned. Dr. Preeti Shukla, a plastic surgeon from Ambrosia Clinic, added that drugs like glutathione are being misused for skin whitening, and potent steroid creams are being dispensed recklessly, leading to long-term skin damage.

The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists (IADVL), Telangana chapter, recently advised its members to dissociate from clinics engaging in unethical practices. The increasing demand for dermatologists to "certify" dubious procedures has raised serious alarm within the medical community.