It is an attempt to corrupt healthcare system, say IMA members, doctors
Thousands of doctors on Friday held nationwide strike under the banner of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) opposing the Centre’s move to allow postgraduate practitioners of Ayurveda to be trained in performing surgical procedures.
The strike involved the withdrawal of non-Covid and non-essential activities from 6 am to 6 pm.
Last month, the Central Council of Indian Medicine — the regulatory body for the study and practice of Ayurveda in India — amended the Indian Medicine Central Council (Post Graduate Ayurveda Education) Regulations, 2016, to include the regulation to permit postgraduate students of Ayurveda to receive training and practice of “shalya” and “shalakya”. Shalya refers to general surgery, shalakya is related to diseases of the ear, nose, throat, head, eye, and oro-dentistry. The IMA condemned the move, terming the decision as a “deceptive camouflage of mixing the systems of medicine”.
The Ayush Ministry then issued a statement clarifying that the amendment was specific to 58 surgical procedures only. However, the body of medical practitioners said: “It is nothing but a blatant attempt at mixopathy and khichdification of medical education and practice.”
On Friday, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and various other Government-run hospitals in Delhi and the municipality-run Hindu Rao Hospital performed duties while wearing black armbands and ribbons.
Dr R Sharma, national president of the association, said: “Modern medicine is controlled and research-oriented, we are proud of the heritage and richness of Ayurveda but the two shouldn’t be mixed.”
He further said that allowing Ayurveda postgraduates to perform surgery is a “blatant attempt” to “corrupt” the healthcare system of the country.
“It takes years and years to become a doctor. With mixopaths what are we heading for? It’s a failure when nations compromise with health,” said Dr Sharma. He stated that the IMA is not against “any sort of pathy”, but the mixing up of disciplines. “We are not against any sort of pathy be it Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy. We are proud of our national heritage and richness but let it coexist with modern medicine. All we demand is not to mix the disciplines. It will also mean the end of pure Ayurveda,” he added.
The Resident Doctors’ Association of AIIMS Delhi urged the Government to retract the notification of the move. “This step will not only encourage already rampant quackery, but also undermine the safety of public,” it said in a statement.
The IMA said the agitation is likely to intensify in the coming weeks if the Government doesn’t take back the notification.