Hyderabad group says state health director has no faith in modern medicine

Statements made by Dr. Srinivasa Rao

· During Christmas celebrations, Dr. Rao stated the Covid-19 is controlled by Jesus Christ and not mass vaccination by the government.

· At a meeting on 12 February, he stated that he belonged to Badrachalam and grew under the influence of Naxalites. He stated that by mistake he took a stethoscope.

· On 17 April at an Iftar programme, he claimed that he had suffered injury during childhood and doctors had opined that only God could save him. His grandfather took him to a masjid where a maulana tied Tayath for him and he was healed.

‘Unfit to be director of health’

Regarding these remarks M. Padmabhana Reddy, secretary of the Forum for Good Governance, said, “He is the director of health of the state government and these statements show that he has no faith in modern medicine. These statements make him unfit to be the director of health.”

In the medical and health circles of the state, doctors have been upset with Dr. Rao’s statements as they work against the principles of modern science which is evidence-based.

These statements are leading to a lot of acrimony within the doctor community in the state who find that their real problems of quacks and other issues of vacant posts are not being paid attention to. Instead, there are those aspects that are being highlighted that only bring disrepute to the community.

Dr. Rao has not responded to the letter. This article will be updated once he responds.