Sangareddy DMHO Bans Surgeries at KBR Life Care Hospital After Inspection

On Monday, August 10, health department officials inspected KBR Life Care Hospital at Pothireddypally in Sangareddy district, uncovering widespread regulatory violations including expired drugs, expired laboratory reagents, and unlabelled medical supplies. Following the inspection, the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) issued orders prohibiting the hospital from conducting any surgical procedures until further orders and closed its operation theatres.

The hospital is owned by Dr. K. Ramesh, who was serving as a Deputy Civil Surgeon in General Medicine at the Area Hospital in Jogipet. Dr. Ramesh was suspended on August 7 after an inquiry revealed that he had skipped his scheduled night duty at the government hospital on August 5 and arranged for a private individual, who was not a government doctor, to perform duties in his place.

Inspections at the Pothireddypally facility revealed that around 75 percent of the reagents in the hospital laboratory had expired. Consequently, authorities sealed the laboratory. Inspectors also found that the hospital failed to comply with prescribed biomedical waste segregation regulations. Inside the operation theatre, officials discovered expired drugs, expired anaesthesia, and unlabelled pre-filled syringes and medicines stored in the operation theatre and in a refrigerator.

Health officials also examined the facility's imaging department after discovering a mobile ultrasound machine inside the operation theatre. Authorities sealed the ultrasound room and are preparing to initiate further action under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act and Rules. A senior health official stated that mobile ultrasound machines carry a risk of being misused for sex-determination tests, which are illegal.

The investigation has also expanded to involve a second government practitioner. Officials seized attendance and procedure records indicating that a government-employed gynaecologist allegedly treated outpatients and assisted in surgeries at KBR Life Care Hospital during official government duty hours. Action is expected to be taken against the doctor.

Although severe violations were recorded, the health department did not immediately seal the entire hospital building because five patients were admitted at the time of the inspection. Officials instructed the hospital management to provide the admitted patients with necessary care and ensure they are safely discharged within 48 hours.