There’s some great news from the Ayurvedic arm of the Indian medical society.
In a new notification issued by the Government of India on November 19, Ayurveda doctors can now legally perform a variety of other general surgeries, in conjunction to specialized fields like ophthalmology, ortho, ENT and dental practices.
However, the President of Central Council of Indian Medicine clarifies that this government notification has merely been released to assure the legality of Ayurveda surgeries and medical practices, as they are being practised in Ayurvedic hospitals for more than 25 years.
Ayurveda Scholars to be Trained in General and Specialised Surgeries
In a groundbreaking move, the Government released a notification on November 19, to allow Ayurveda doctors to be trained and legally allowed to perform general surgeries and undertake specialised medical practices.
The procedures listed under the notification include the Post Graduate training of Ayurveda doctors by amending the Indian Medicine Central Council Regulations, 2016.
During the training period, PG scholars practising Shalya tantra or general surgery and Shalakya tantra, i.e. surgeries of the ear, nose, throat, head and eye will officially be trained to perform independent surgeries.
Among general surgeries come amputation of gangrene, skin grafting, laparotomy (opening up of the abdomen) and many advanced gastro-intestinal surgeries.
Similarly, Shalakya tantra scholars will be trained to conduct advanced ophthalmic surgeries like iris prolapse surgery, squint surgery, along with all types of cataract surgeries.
Ayurveda Surgeries are Being Conducted Since 25 Years
Dr Jayant Deopujari, President of Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) explains that PG courses in surgery, ENT and ophthalmology have been there in Ayurveda since the past 20-25 years, with surgical OPDs too being conducted.
However, as nobody ever looked into the degree of legality in the same for decades, the ministry in consultation with the Niti Aayog came to a decision to put down in writing to make it clear and clarify that what is already being done is legal.
“General surgery is a part and parcel of modern medical science which cannot be mainstreamed with ayurveda. Introducing training modules to the postgraduate curriculum of ayurvedic studies leading to titles such as MS (Ayurved) can potentially disrupt and jeopardise the basic standards of care and safety of patients.”, says Dr P Raghu Ram, President of the Association of Surgeons of India.