The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the largest body of modern medicine doctors in India, has given a call for protests across India against a government notification that allows Ayurveda practitioners to perform certain surgeries. The IMA has withdrawn all non-Essential and non-COVID medical services on December 11, 2020.
The IMA has called the allowance of surgery by Ayurvedic Doctors as ‘mixopathy.’ As such, there have been demonstrations against this term. The term 'mixopathy', which doesn't have a legal definition, is used to describe vital parts of modern medicine being mixed with Ayurveda or homeopathy.
In line with the definition, the government notification issued on November 20 listed 58 varieties of surgeries that postgraduate Ayurveda medical students would be able to do. It has further stated that "during the period of study, the PG scholar of Shalya and Shalakya shall be practically trained to acquaint with as well as to independently perform the following activities so that after completion of his PG degree."
Does Ayurveda have surgeries?
The origins of surgery go back to the ancient Indian sage and physician Sushruta. Sushruta’s medical book ‘Sushruta Samhita’ not only describes various illnesses and cures but also has accounts of surgical procedures.
According to the book, Shalya Tantra and ShalakyaTantra are the two branches of Ayurveda, which are also taught to students.
The Post-graduate Department of Shalya Tantra deals with surgical aspects of the system through imparting quality patient care, teaching, training and various research activities concerning surgery. The Shalakya Tantra is an important branch of Ayurveda dealing with the diseases situated above the clavicle concerned with the disorders of ear, nose and throat.
The PG scholars of both the above departments will be allowed to perform the surgeries.
What are the new provisions made for Ayurvedic doctors?
In line with the mixopathy, the gazette notification issued by the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM), a statutory body under the AYUSH Ministry, has listed 39 general surgery procedures and 19 other procedures, involving the eye, ear, nose and throat by amending the Indian Medicine Central Council (Post Graduate Ayurveda Education) Regulations, 2016.
There are two provisions that have been made in the notification. Firstly, under the MS (AYURVED) Shalya Tantra, the students of Ayurveda will dwell on general surgery. The surgeries include general surgery excision of simple cyst (non-canceric) including Appendisectomy, which is the removal of the appendix.
Secondly, the MS (Ayurved) Shalakya Tantra will involve diseases of eye, ear, nose, throat, head and dentistry.
IMA opposition and the subsequent protests
The IMA has criticised the move and questioned the competence of Ayurveda medical students to carry out these procedures. The Junior Doctors' Association has also staged a demonstration at Gauhati Medical College & Hospitals (GMCH) in solidarity with the IMA strike.
The IMA came out with an official statement demanding the withdrawal of the notification of the amendment regulations of Postgraduate Ayurveda Education. The statement read, "In the said notification the Post Graduate courses namely MS Shalya Tantra the words (General Surgery) have been incorporated. A long list of modern medicine surgical procedures has been enlisted under Shalya Tantra and Shalakya Tantra. 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 AYUSH Ministry Secretary, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, had stated last month that the CCIM notification doesn’t entail any policy deviation and that the “notification is more of the nature of a clarification.” “It streamlines the existing regulation relating to postgraduate education in Ayurveda with respect to the specified procedures,” Kotecha said.
However, the IMA has rejected the clarification as a "deceptive camouflage of mixing the systems of medicine. It is nothing but a blatant attempt at mixopathy and Khichadification of medical education and practice."
Ayurveda vs Allopath: Clash of words in Assam
In Assam too, the IMA state unit has raised objections regarding the move. "We have no objection to whatever that is happening in Ayurveda. But my simple question is how will they give anaesthesia and provide antiseptic, antibacterial post operation?" Dr Hemanga Baishya, IMA Assam Secretary told G Plus.
He has also asked, “How will they do the post-operative procedures? Will they refer to us?” He alleged that there are reports ongoing that Ayurvedic doctors will be commissioned in villages for surgeries. “Are villagers second class citizens? Everyone has the right to health,” said the Secretary of Assam IMA.
Meanwhile, senior officials and doctors have given clarification on the issue. They have further revealed that over 1,000 surgeries have been performed in the Ayurvedic College. “This notification is only a clarification of what operation can be done. But, there is also limitation of about the operations that can be done,” said Dr Pankaj Kumar Barman, Ayurveda Surgery Head of Ayurvedic College.
The Ayurvedic doctors of the state have called the move as an attempt to mainstream Ayurvedic doctors. Senior officials of the hospital have expressed confidence on its students to perform the surgeries. “The course and curriculum we give to train students have all the information of modern surgery. Are they capable of surgery? Of course, there is no problem. People shouldn’t be motivated by misinformation,” said DR Ramakanta Sarma, Principal of Ayurvedic College.
