PIL on RMPs, PMPs: HC directs state govt to respond

HYDERABAD: A division bench of Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday directed the state government and others concerned to respond to a public interest litigation petition filed seeking directions to authorities to take steps to prevent RMPs (Registered Medical Practitioners) and PMPs (Private Medical Practitioners) from running clinics or first aid centres or any other centres in any form or manner in the state.

The bench of Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili was dealing with a PIL by “The Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association”, represented by its president Dr K Mahesh Kumar, challenging the GO 1273 which permitted the RMPs and PMPs to establish clinics.

It sought directions to the state for establishment of medicines recruitment board for making direct recruitment to various categories of staff in medical and health department. The petitioner’s counsel submitted that the RMPs and PMPs have been playing with the lives of the people particularly the poor though they are not qualified in any Indian system of medicine.