Medical body extends support to IMA in opposing creation of new bill proposed by the central govt to merge homoeopathy with Indian medicine
The Indian Institute of Homoeopathic Physicians (IIHP) has now strongly opposed the proposed bridge course for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (Ayush) doctors in the National Medical Commission Bill (NMC), 2017. Calling it a retrograde step, the IIHP indicated that such a move is highly detrimental to homoeopathy in the long run. According to the association homoeopathy is a full-fledged medical system by itself and is capable of handling diseases independently.
Dr Ramjee Singh, president of the Homeopathic Council, said, “The proposed NMC, among other things, is not ‘medical’ in nature as it allows the mixing of ‘Ayush’ with ‘modern medicine’. Combining the two in the same treatment by the same doctor will constitute a new treatment and hence necessitate a trial, which would require the approval of the ethics committee. Clause 49 of the bill states that a joint meeting of the NMC, the Central Council of Homoeopathy, and the Central Council of Indian Medicine should be held at least once in a year to enhance the interface between homoeopathy, Indian systems of medicine and modern systems of medicine.”
Dr KK Aggarwal, former national president of Indian Medical Association (IMA), said “Such unscientific mixing of medical systems is not in the best interest of people. It will pave the way for backdoor entry of qualified quacks to the medical field.” Such a provision will only do more harm than good, he said. “The bridge course will only encourage quackery, which is already one of the major issues faced by the medical fraternity today. It will take away the purity of each system of medicine. To expect students of another system of medicine to clear a bridge course and become adept in a totally different field is nothing short of absurd,” he added.
The former IMA office bearer feels that the government should consult both the IMA and the IIHP before they decide on approving a specific bridge course that may be introduced for the practitioners of homeopathy and Indian systems of medicine.
Aggarwal further said, “It is time that the powers that be took urgent notice of this crisis and acted accordingly. The medical profession is currently facing the darkest hour. Not only are patients slowly losing faith in doctors and the profession as such, but are also resorting to violence against doctors at the slightest provocation. This bill is only an addition to these existing woes and will exacerbate the sit uation for the medical fraternity and the students of medicine.”
It is not the first time that the government has made such a move. In 2005, the then Union health minister, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, tried unsuccessfully to bring about a legislation to dissolve the Medical Council of India (MCI) and set up another council under the control of the health ministry. This move was rejected.
“That scenario is repeating itself today, with the difference that the Union cabinet has given its approval to the draft NMC. The Parliament has a larger role to play in protecting the interest of the medical profession of the country. It is time to act,” Aggarwal concluded.
█ The proposed NMC, among other things, is not ‘medical’ in nature as it allows the mixing of ‘Ayush’ with ‘modern medicine’. Combining the two in the same treatment by the same doctor will constitute a new treatment and hence necessitate a trial, which would require the approval of the ethics committee
—Dr Ramjee Singh, President, IIHP
Source: Vicky Pathare, Pune Mirror