Hyderabad targets unlicensed hospitals with fines
HYDERABAD: Authorities have launched a coordinated drive to curb unlicensed hospitals in the city, with a survey to identify violations nearing completion. Officials said notices will be issued shortly, followed by penalties.
Survey flags violations across city and suburbs
Officials indicated that fines could range from ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh per hospital. The stated goal is to ensure that no unauthorised hospital operates within the Greater Hyderabad limits by March, triggering concern among violators.
Medchal, Ranga Reddy see higher concentration
Unlicensed hospitals are largely concentrated in the city’s outskirts. Inspections by the Telangana Medical Council have repeatedly flagged violations in areas falling under Medchal and Ranga Reddy districts.
Over 230 facilities under scanner
Hyderabad district has more than 3,500 government and private hospitals. To prevent lapses and avoid reactive enforcement after incidents, the health department has begun a special survey across 91 primary health centre (PHC) jurisdictions. Treating each urban PHC as a unit, teams are conducting field inspections of hospitals, clinics and nursing homes.
So far, about 230 facilities have been found operating without mandatory permissions from the health department.
Crackdown on illegal practices
Officials cited cases of registered medical practitioners running clinics beyond their scope, unqualified individuals providing treatment, and hospitals maintaining certificates on record despite the absence of doctors on duty.
The district collector has directed health officials to act firmly against violations and not to hesitate in taking action. The department has stepped up efforts to expedite the notice process. Last year, 31 hospitals in Hyderabad were fined ₹50,000 each.
Experts said similar inspections in Sangareddy, Medchal and Ranga Reddy districts would help curb fake doctors and unauthorised hospitals. Officials added that 19 unlicensed hospitals were identified in the Ranga Reddy district’s peri-urban areas over the past two months.
