Rohit Shishodia
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has expressed anguish over a recent notification by the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) that incorporates MS (Ayurved) Shalya Tantra-General Surgery and MS (Ayurved).-Shalakya Tantra. Under this, a person who is qualified with MS Ayurveda can perform 65 different surgeries which are currently performed by experts of surgery.

The IMA has questioned the government's move and said that these competencies squarely fall under the ambit, authority and jurisdiction of modern medicine having been prescribed by the then Medical Council of India as the competencies ascribable to the postgraduate course titled MS (General Surgery).

The national doctors’ body has also rejected the Ayush ministry’s clarification that claimed that technical terms and the modern developments are common heritage of mankind.

IMA said that it is nothing but a blatant attempt at mixopathy and Khichadification of medical education and practice. The CCIM amendments cannot be seen in isolation.

“There are issues arising out of such indiligent decisions that all impact patient care and safety. What about the pre anesthetic medication? Will it be Ayush drugs? What about Anesthesia? Does Ayush have their own anesthesia drugs and procedures? Perhaps, Ayush doctors are trained in administering them as Ayush anaesthetists? What about postoperative care and infection control?” asked IMA President Dr Rajan Sharma while addressing the press.

“How will a system not subscribing to microbial theory find a way to control sepsis? Will it be 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?” he asked further.

The IMA has said that it is very obvious that Ayush is dependent on modern medicine, anesthesia, antibiotics and equipment to perform surgical procedures. It fails the test of logic behind such irresponsible initiative placing thousands of gullible patients at risk.

Dr Vinay Aggarwal, Former IMA President, said that IMA has nothing to do with Ayush system. In fact, the government should build Ayush research centers and promote them. But simultaneously mixing of pathies will have consequences on people's health.”

Dr Aggarwal pointed out that 65 surgeries mentioned in the notification cannot even be performed by general surgeons. You will need super specialists to perform them. The notification, which has provision of Ayurved doctors trained to perform these surgeries, have been released by CCIM after taking consent from the Ministry of Ayush, he said.

“This step of the government is dangerous for people’s health in the coming time. This is encroachment  of one pathy on another pathy, which should not happen,” he added.

The IMA has informed that it will struggle to deal with this issue in coming days by raising its voice and other actions.