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IMA, NIMA disagree over 'crosspathy' issue

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Chaitanya Deshpande    06 March 2019

NAGPUR: With the exit test that will enable more than 1,200 ayurvedic doctors to prescribe allopathic medicines scheduled from March 6-8, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has clearly stated that it will strongly oppose ‘crosspathy’.

IMA National President Dr Santanu Sen and Honorary Secretary General Dr RV Asokan issued an official statement stating that Government of Maharashtra should stop this initiative immediately and appoint only MBBS doctors in health and wellness centres (HWCs) on permanent basis.

According to the statement, there have been reports that the Maharashtra government will officially promote ‘crosspathy’ by allowing BAMS graduates to prescribe drugs of modern medicine. IMA bemoans this ‘statutory quackery’ of the state government.

The State government intends to appoint BAMS graduates at HWCs in 19 districts of Maharashtra. Overall, 1,200 such doctors are taking a six-month course at 36 centres across the state. The exit test is scheduled from March 6 to 8 and the government will give them appointment letters by March 31.

The statement says that the wellness centres should not be made into ‘mixopathy’ dispensaries. Quality primary care from competent doctors of modern medicine is a right of the people. Who will be responsible for the chaos created by such lay persons, says the statement.

Doctors who practise the Indian system of medicine are annoyed with the tone and intent in the IMA statement.

VD Tembhurnikar, president of Central Council of National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA), said that according to the provisions of IMCC Act, 1970, and notifications issued from time to time by Central Council of Indian Medicine, institutionally qualified practitioners of ayurveda, siddha, unani-tibb can practise their respective system with modern scientific system of medicine.

Dr Sen said that they are not against any system of medicine or BAMS practitioners. But, Maharashtra state is promoting ‘crosspathy’ through these appointments.

While the two apex bodies of practitioners of modern and traditional medicines are in a clash, more than 1,200 BAMS doctors are looking at an uncertain future.

IMA opposes Government of Maharashtra’s decision to appoint ayurveda doctors at proposed HWCs across the state, while NIMA says that BAMS doctors should get direct appointment to HWCs as they have all legal rights to practise modern medicine. (TNN)

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