IMA to shut OPD tomorrow against Centre's move to allow ayurvedic doctors to do surgeries

Bengaluru: Protesting the Centre's proposal to legitimise 'mixopathy' that allows Ayurveda doctors to perform surgeries, the members of Indian Medical Association (IMA) will shut down OPD on Friday. The IMA has lashed out at the government for issuing notification recognising 'mixopathy'.

Dr Suri Raju, general secretary, IMA, Yelahankha, has condemned the move as dangerous. "'Mixopathy' is not good fundamentally for the patients. The decision compromises the safety of patients," Raju said and wanted to know if AYUSH has its own anaesthesia drugs and procedures.

"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 for this modern medicine B team? It's very obvious that AYUSH is dependent on modern medicine doctors, anaesthesia, antibiotics and equipment to perform sensitive surgical procedures. It fails the test of logic behind such irresponsible initiative placing thousands of gullible patients at risk. The object and purpose of mixing the systems is perhaps borne out of a false claim on heritage," Dr Raju deplored.

"The medical colleges in Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai were established in the 19th century and remain the heritage of man. Some of the sensational discoveries like the malarial parasite and its treatment were formulated in India. Modern medicine is as much Indian as anyone's. Rapid strides in modern medicine like vaccination and chemotherapy of tuberculosis took their baby steps in India. India remains the frontier of modern medicine today with medical care of international standards and well reputed Indian doctors serving across the globe. What is the point in losing such a legacy and leadership?," he wondered.

Dr Jagadish Hiremath, IMA general secretary, Anekal, has also condemned the Centre's move.

Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (PHANA) president Dr Prasanna H M while welcoming the government's move to revive traditional medical sciences like ayurveda, felt that the way it is being done will undermine the image of the healthcare industry.

"The recent notification that permits MS ayurveda graduates to perform many of the surgeries which are developed and taught in allopathic sciences will put the public at risk. The move of the government is ill conceived and is against the spirit of the ayurvedic sciences. Ayurvedic graduates will neither be able to focus on ayurveda nor learn allopathic surgeries. This may lead to dilution of training of medical graduates. This will also dent the image of the healthcare industry and may widen the trust deficit."