Quacks claim to remove kidney stones at Chittoor

Tirupati: Gangs of crooks mostly quacks in Chittoor district are earning in crores claiming to extract stones from kidneys of innocent and illiterate poor people after massaging a part of spinal cord and waist of the patient and then handing over pebbles as the removed stones. Such gangs are allegedly thriving at five places in the district.

This racket came to light following an investigation conducted by The Hans India and HM TV. Shocked by the investigative report, two quacks namely Vijaya (55) and her husband Jagannadha Naidu (60) of Polinaidupalle in Srirangarajapuram mandal and their relatives tried to attack the TV crew and resorted to abuse to prevent the sting operation. The media persons had to seek help from police for their safety.

The couple has been in the profession for the last ten years and their main targets are illiterates and poor. Though they lack basic knowledge on heart and kidney functions, they have mastered the art of befooling gullible poor.

They have been so successful that they are able to earn better than a corporate hospital. Jangannadha conducts even a diagnosis and counts the number of kidney stones after examining the patient’s x-ray report. Vijaya places pebbles of equal size and weight in the patient’s palm before sending him or her out.

The couple charges Rs 500 from each patient and Rs 100 extra for building a temple in the village. Even they have been able to keep people silent over this issue. Only oral publicity fetches hundreds from rural areas to approach the quack-couple for treatment who finally are getting cheated.

Even patients from far off cities like Bengaluru and Chennai also approach them. During the media investigation, the quack couple provoked the waiting patients to attack the media, following which the media people had to call police for their rescue.

Despite an effort to teach the poor victims about reality, some patients claimed that they were cured. Thimma Reddy of Bengaluru said that he had come to the village nine years back with a broken thorn (mullu) in his leg which was removed by Vijaya. Later he came to know about their kidney stone treatment, although he never saw any removed stone. Some patients even informed that their x-ray reports after the treatment showed no stones.

Jilani basha, an auto driver of Chittoor used to bring patients as he knew the couple’s address, hoping to make money by bringing victims to the spot. He became a canvasser.

While speaking to The Hans India, Narasimha Reddy of Pulicherla mandal said that he had developed a complete belief on Vijaya’s ability after finding stones from his kidney missing. Siva Reddy of Bengaluru was confused after the couple showed four stones whereas his doctor stated that there was only one stone.

Ravindra of Chittoor, Devi from Tamil Nadu and Ramya of Mangalampet found the treatment incredible after seeing the fresh extracted stones. Prominent urologist Dr Subramanyam while appreciating the investigative report, expressed shock over the couple’s activities and demanded legal action.

By:K Murali Mohan