Hyderabad: Doctors across Telangana have been protesting for the past two weeks against GO 229, which permits the state govt to nominate four additional ex-officio members to the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC).
Medical professionals argue that the move undermines the council’s autonomy and dilutes the role of elected representatives.During Sankranti, some doctors created colourful rangolis carrying messages such as ‘Revoke GO 229.’ Medical associations warned that the order could weaken the council’s core regulatory functions, including oversight of medical ethics, licensing, and enforcement.
Medical students and young doctors expressed particular concern, saying they would be the worst affected.
Many MBBS graduates from district medical colleges practise independently if they fail to secure postgraduate seats, and they stressed that robust regulation is vital to safeguard qualified practitioners.Quacks in rural areasCurrently, the 25-member TGMC comprises 13 elected members, six govt nominees, two representatives from KNRUHS, and four ex-officio govt officials. GO 229 adds four more ex-officio members, taking the number of state govt–nominated ex-officio members to eight. “At a time when nearly 50,000 quacks and unqualified practitioners are operating across Telangana, especially in rural areas, the livelihoods of qualified doctors depend on strict regulation,” doctors said. They pointed out that the TGMC has recently intensified action against illegal medical practice, offering protection to ethical doctors. Over the past few years, the council has filed hundreds of FIRs against quacks and unqualified individuals, some allegedly backed by registered doctors.
It has also suspended five doctors for professional misconduct and ethical violations under existing medical laws. “If quackery is not stopped, it affects all qualified doctors,” said Dr Srinath, president of Telangana senior residents doctors’ association. “In the future, we will also be part of the council, so everyone is concerned,” he said.‘Withdraw GO 229′A senior TGMC member told TOI that the law permits only four ex-officio members and one officer.
“There is no provision to appoint four additional ex-officio members. Also, all council members must be doctors, but the officers nominated under the new order are not doctors by qualification,” he said. Doctors’ associations have demanded that the govt withdraw GO 229 and ensure the medical council remains predominantly doctor-led. However, health department sources said the order has already been issued and is unlikely to be rolled back.
