Hyderabad flags 224 illegal hospitals, fines 18
HYDERABAD: Unauthorised hospitals in the city are operating without approvals, raising concerns over public health. Officials have identified 224 such facilities across Hyderabad and issued notices to them.
Authorities said penalties are being collected from hospitals that failed to respond within the stipulated time. So far, 18 hospitals have paid ₹50,000 each as fines. Action is under way to shut down facilities that continue to ignore notices. Officials also found that some hospitals are functioning discreetly despite enforcement measures.
Officials are preparing to register cases against such establishments. As per norms, a first-time violation attracts a penalty of ₹50,000. If the facility continues operations without obtaining permissions and is caught again, a ₹2 lakh fine is imposed. A third violation invites a ₹5 lakh penalty.
Unqualified practitioners running facilities without licences
Several clinics are being run without proper qualifications or approvals. In some cases, individuals without an MBBS degree are operating hospitals after gaining limited experience under doctors.
To run a hospital, clinic or nursing home, operators must obtain permission from the health department under the Clinical Establishments Act, along with holding an MBBS degree. However, clinics, dental hospitals, physiotherapy centres and AYUSH facilities are being set up without approvals. Officials admitted that monitoring from the health department remains inadequate.
Diagnostic centres ignore legal provisions
Diagnostic centres are also found violating rules. The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act must be implemented to prevent sex determination tests. Mandatory display boards and record maintenance are not being followed in several centres. Surrogacy regulations are also not being enforced.
Only 825 clinics are registered with the district medical and health department. Registrations must be renewed every five years, but many facilities have failed to do so.
Hundreds of physiotherapy centres are operating in the city, but only 15 have official permission. Similarly, AYUSH centres are functioning without approvals, with only 80 authorised by the department. Several among these have not renewed their licences.
