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HYDERABAD: The health dept removed Dr Kotachalam, Suryapet district medical and health officer (DMHO), over multiple allegations of several private hospitals and diagnostic centres operating without licences or qualified staff in the district. While Kotachalam was asked to report to the department of public health & family welfare (DPHFW), Hyderabad, Dr P Chandrasekhar, DMHO, LB Nagar, was given additional charge of Suryapet until further orders.At a roundtable meeting held on Sunday, several civil society organisation members condemned the inaction of the Suryapet health authorities over prevailing violations. According to them, private hospitals and diagnostic centres were running without mandatory registration and qualified personnel. They also pointed out how the permission and renewals were cleared by the DM&HO without verifying the mandated registrations and other credentials of these medical practitioners, hospitals, and centres.Noting that the district health authorities failed to take substantial action over the irregularities beyond issuing routine showcause notices, the activists submitted a complaint to the additional district collector and urged prompt action. Based on Suryapet collcetor’s report, the health authorities have relieved Kotachalam from his duties.