Gurugram doctors to protest against decision to allow Ayurveda practitioners to perform surgery

Over 400 doctors in Gurugram are likely to withdraw all non-essential and non-Covid-related services and hold demonstration for two days next week as part of a nationwide

Over 400 doctors in Gurugram are likely to withdraw all non-essential and non-Covid-related services and hold demonstration for two days next week as part of a nationwide protest by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) against the Central Council of Indian Medicine’s (CCIM) decision to allow Ayurveda practitioners perform surgeries.

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On November 19, a notification was issued by the Ayush ministry on the amendments made to the Indian Medicine Central Council (PG Ayurveda Education) Regulations, 2016 that allowed postgraduate students of Ayurveda to practice general surgery. The new amendments allow Ayurveda postgraduates to get trained in 58 surgical procedures, such as ophthalmology, orthopedics, dental procedures, among others. It also permits them to perform the surgeries after the completion of their degrees.

Opposing the move, the Gurugram chapter of IMA will be holding a protest on December 8 and will withdraw non-essential OPD services on December 11. “Following the safety guidelines in the wake of Covid-19, the protest will be held in groups of 20 people each across different locations from 12 noon till 2pm on December 8. Likewise, OPD services (non-essential and non-Covid) will be withdrawn from 6am till 6pm on December 11. All emergency services including the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will be functional,” said Dr Ajay Gupta, secretary, IMA, Gurugram.

Dr Rajan Sharma, national president, IMA, called it a mixopathy practice, and said, “We are not against any particular stream of medicine. But the move by CCIM in the Covid-19 times to mix the streams is not justified. Doctors go through years of rigorous training and continue to get trained even after finishing their education.”

He said that at least 674 doctors across the country have died this year while treating Covid-19 cases. “The move by the government is a mockery of their contribution to the society,” he added.

The Ayush ministry, however, in its official statement issued on November 22 clarified that there is no ‘mixing’ of Ayurveda with conventional (modern) medicine.