- Home
- MedBound Hub
- InternshipInternship
- BiographyBiography
- InterviewInterview
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Biotechnology
- College/InstituteCollege/Institute
- Dentistry
- Blog
- Wellness & Nutrition
- Nursing
- Opinion
- Videos
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has voiced strong opposition to the Central Government's proposal to introduce an integrated MBBS-BAMS course at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry. This initiative, stemming from the National Medical Commission's (NMC) efforts to integrate modules of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) into modern medical education, has sparked significant backlash from the medical community. [1][2]
Dr. Dwarkanath Reddy, President of IMA Telangana, expressed concerns that combining modern medicine with Ayurveda could compromise the rigorous standards of contemporary medical education. He emphasized that such integration threatens the core ideologies of both disciplines, potentially leading to a dilution of their respective principles. Dr. Reddy questioned the practicality of administering Ayurvedic treatments post-surgery and highlighted the risk of undermining patient autonomy in choosing their preferred healthcare system.
It is unfortunate that the Union government seems to have decided to go ahead with its plans to unscientifically mix systems of medicine. Reports indicate that the first integrative course mixing MBBS and BAMS would be started in the premier institution of JIPMER, Pondicherry.
IMA's statement
Echoing similar sentiments, the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA) labeled the proposed course as "regressive and unscientific." Dr. J Isaac Newton, President of T-JUDA, warned that the integrated curriculum might produce inadequately trained practitioners, colloquially termed "qualified quacks," who lack proficiency in either modern medicine or Ayurveda. He cited China's unsuccessful attempt to merge modern medicine with traditional Chinese medicine as a cautionary example, noting that such efforts led to the weakening of indigenous medical systems.
Both IMA and T-JUDA have called upon Ayurvedic practitioners to join in opposing the proposed policy, underscoring the potential negative implications for both doctors and patients. They argue that the integration could lead to a compromise in patient care quality and erode the foundational principles of both medical systems
China failed in its experiment of mixing modern medicine and Chinese traditional medicine; this also resulted in decimation of their traditional medicine. India has a robust chain of hospitals and public health services with 779 medical colleges and 1,36,325 MBBS doctors per year. We should not give away that advantage that our robust medical education system has created.
IMA's statement
The proposed integrated course is part of the NMC's broader initiative to incorporate AYUSH modules into the medical education framework, aiming to promote a more holistic approach to healthcare. However, the medical community's resistance highlights the complexities and challenges associated with merging distinct medical paradigms.
References:
1. Goyal, M., & Singh, S. (2020). Integrative medicine: A review of Indian perspectives. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 11(1), 3-8.
2. Patwardhan, B. (2014). Bridging Ayurveda with evidence-based scientific approaches in medicine. The EPMA Journal, 5(1), 19.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Sakshi Thakar/MSM)
