Members of Jharkhand chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) and several other doctors of Jharkhand on Friday observed a day long strike to protest against the decision of the Central Council of Indian Medicine to allow post graduate Ayurveda doctors to perform certain surgery.
According to an estimate over 13000 doctors both government and private participated in the strike.
At the RIMS the OPD service was completely stopped around 11 AM where doctors were seen asking other doctors to cooperate in the strike. However, Jharkhand chapter of IMA clarified that emergency cases, Covid-19 cases and treatment of pregnant women were exempted from strike and doctors were asked to treat such patients.
Ranchi Sadar hospital witnessed a similar situation where OPD was closed except the emergency service. Sadar hospital on an average witnesses footfall of over 500 patients a day. Many people who were not aware of the doctors’ strike faced problems when they found OPD closed. Impact of the bandh was seen in private hospitals also.
In the neighbouring district Khunti hospital and clinics remained closed but health centres in rural areas were functioning.
“We were asked to observe a day long strike. I am posted at a government health centre in the rural area where we were present and even treated patients. It is a bit difficult to stop medical facilities in the rural areas,” said a doctor who has recently joined in Khunti.
Dr. Arun Kumar Singh, president of Jharkhand chapter of IMA said the strike was completely observed across Jharkhand.
“We don’t have any problem with Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Yunani treatment. Ayurveda is over a thousand years old healing system. All these branches have unique and special ways of treatment. But if the government has allowed a doctor of Ayurveda to perform surgery then the government is playing with the lives of patients. We are opposed to what is called Mixopathy,” said Singh.
Singh said that while a surgeon spends over 15 years to get specialization in surgery the central government allowed Ayurveda practitioners to undertake surgery.
“Surgery is a highly specialized subject. A surgeon doesn’t mean that he will perform surgery on any part of the body. If the government believes that by imparting training for a year the government can create a pool of surgeons then this is nothing but the mockery with the medical system,” he said.
Pradeep Kumar, secretary of IMA said that the government should reconsider its decision. “Mixopathy can’t be the option for Universal health Coverage,” he said.
The council last month notified as many as 39 general surgery procedures and 19 other procedures which include general surgery, orthopaedic, ophthalmology, ENT and dental surgeries. This was done by amending the Indian Medicine Central Council (Post Graduate Ayurveda Education) Regulations, 2016.