SURGERIES by AYURVEDIC: Assam practitioners up in arms

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Doctors in Assam are up in arms against the Centre's decision to allow the postgraduate degree holders of Ayurveda to perform a variety of procedures including general surgery, orthopaedic, ophthalmology, ENT and dental procedures and surgeries.

The Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) in its latest gazette notification has allowed Ayurvedic PG passouts to receive formal training for such surgical procedures. The development indicates the growing emphasis on traditional medicine of the present regime at the Centre.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Assam State Branch is highly perturbed by the recent policy proposals for integration of all systems of medicine, calling it a "khichidi" medical system which could put millions of lives at risk. The largest organization representing doctors of modern medicine said it stands for purity of systems of modern medicine as well as Ayush and that this new system will provide hybrid doctors and the choice of the patient is effectively nullified.

DrSatyajit Borah, State President of IMA told The Sentinel that the latest circular of the CCIM paving the way for allowing Ayurvedic post-graduate doctors to practice various surgeries which are otherwise carried out by well-trained surgeons under the modern medical system has terrified all conscious people concerned about public health.

"The IMA has demanded immediate withdrawal of the notification. The amendment regulations of Postgraduate Ayurveda Education in which the Post Graduate course namely MS ShalyaTantra (General Surgery) have been incorporated and the PG students are allowed to get trained and independently practice a long list of surgical procedures. The competency of such surgical skills squarely falls under the ambit, authority and jurisdiction of modern medicine prescribed by the Medical Council of India," the IMA said.

The IMA has claimed that the NITI Aayog has formed four committees in the areas of medical education, clinical practice, public health, medical research and administration to integrate all systems of medicine. The theoretical basis of policy seems to emanate from the new National Education Policy. 2020. The IMA has warned that the radical changes that are being institutionalised will have serious impact on the health of people and can put millions of lives at risk.

Dr Borah said there are issues arising out of the Centre's decisions affecting patient care and safety.

"What about the pre anaesthetic medication? Will it be Ayush drugs? What about Anaesthesia? Does Ayush have its own anaesthesia drugs and procedures? What about postoperative care and infection control? How will a system not subscribing to microbial theory find a way to control sepsis? Will it be a throwback to the 19th century septic wards? How will the Government find adequate resources to create new infrastructure from nowhere to fend for this modern medicine B team?," an IMA statement issued here on Sunday said.

Dr Borah said it is very obvious that the ayurvedic system will be dependent on modern medicine doctors, anaesthesia, antibiotics and equipments to perform modern medicine surgical procedures.

The IMA has already announced a series of protests against the detrimental steps of the government. All the members of the association will take part in public demonstrations on December 8 all over the country, adhering to Covid protocols. On December 11 the IMA has given a call to all doctors practising modern medicine to withdraw non-essential and non-COVID services from 6 am to 6 pm.

The IMA feels that health of generations of Indians is at stake and it is prepared for the ensuing long drawn struggle for existence and identity of modern medicine and all associations of the fraternity including the specialities and students are determined to resist this alleged ill-advised adventure of the Centre. The IMA has also warned that it will be constrained to intensify the agitation if the Centre does not withdraw its notification.

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