Ayush doctors practicing surgery in modern hospitals? What does MCI say about it?MCI says No!

This was originally written in 2018 and is updated according to current state in Nov 2020.

A burning question being debated everywhere: Can Ayurveda practitioners perform surgeries? They can according to Ayush, but they may not according to Medical Council of India. While the debate rages, one thing you must remember, this is not a short-term problem. The crisis of doctors and bursting population needs long-term planning, Contraception(for population management), training of quality doctors as modern medical practitioners plys good policy making.

In this article, I am putting forward the views curated from the authoritative sources plus my own takeaway as a Modern medical practitioner and Indian citizen.
This is what Ayush Ministry said:

Those trained to perform surgeries can do it everywhere, says Ayush ministry. In answer to a Central Information Commission order in June asking the Ayush ministry “to clarify upon the issue of entitlement and extent of practitioner of India system of medicine to perform surgeries lawfully”, the ministry said surgeries were a part of Ayurveda curriculum.

“They can perform whatever is in their syllabus, but there are obviously certain exceptions. They cannot perform all procedures, including certain major surgeries. For more clarity, we are drawing up a list of do’s and don’ts so we can convince the MCI,” said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, secretary Ayush.
This is what the Medical Council of India said

Medical education regulator Medical Council of India (MCI) clearly says Ayush practitioners cannot do surgery in hospitals for modern medicine. (Reference)

Ayush ministry sought MCI approval, which was refused.

“We have refused as under MCI rules, crosspathy (mixing different methods of medicine) isn’t allowed. MCI’s stand is quite clear on this; Ayurveda surgeons cannot be mainstreamed. Surgery and associated procedures are part of modern medical science; whatever these practitioners are taught as part of their curriculum, cannot be allowed to be practices in allopathic hospitals,” said Dr Reena Nayyar, secretary, MCI.

Reference

This is what the Chairman of the regulatory body for Ayurveda, the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM), Vaid Jayant Deopujari, tells that there is nothing new about ayurvedic doctors doing surgeries. He also mentions about the lack of assessment reports of Ayurveda hospitals is due to a loophole in the law.

What Parliamentary Standing Committee reviewing National Medical Commission Bill said

In March, the Parliamentary Standing Committee reviewing the National Medical Commission Bill, 2017, also recommended against Ayush doctors practicing allopathy after completing a short-term course.

What Supreme Court and CPA Judgments said:

Supreme Court and CPA Judgments that Ayush Doctors cannot prescribe allopathic drugs

Ayush doctor practicing Surgery is it okay? The Supreme court says this

Dr. Mukhtiar Chand & Ors. Vs. State Of Punjab & Ors., decided by the Supreme Court on 08/10/1998, reported as AIR 1999, SC 468, (1998 (7) SCC 579) K.T. Thomas, Syed Shah Mohammed Quadri,” A harmonious reading of Section 15 of 1956 Act and Section 17 of 1970 Act leads to the conclusion that there is no scope for a person enrolled on the State Register of Indian medicine or Central Register of Indian Medicine to practise modern scientific medicine in any of its branches unless that person is also enrolled on a State Medical Register within the meaning of 1956 Act.”

Two tweets from the Indian medical association that handles this topic sheds some light.

The screenshot is below each tweet

https://twitter.com/IMAIndiaOrg/status/1331274389845803008/

https://twitter.com/IMAIndiaOrg/status/1330171658716508161/

Takeaway:

No one has ever refused Ayush Doctors permission to practice Ayush and operate according to their experience. Let them heal with their own science.I am sure it will benefit all those who seek it.

Let the Ayush practitioners do surgery in Ayush hospitals with full responsibility. Any person who willingly gives informed consent for such procedures is doing so voluntarily.No such procedures should be done under the cover of modern medical services. Also, anesthesia, postop, further evaluation should be done under Ayush practitioners only. Provisions of medical insurance and all responsibility should lie with Ayush Hospital and the Ayush doctor. That will be in the best interest of all concerned.

This helps in transparency and better decision-making for doctors, patients, and all concerned.

Developing Ayush is a good thing. They have their strengths, let them enhance that. If they are qualified to practice modern medicine, they should pass all the exams of modern medicine too.No shortcuts work when it’s your health.

Who knows one day Ayush will regain its former glory. But this cannot be done piggybacking on cross pathy.

It’s also important that for the sake of better patient care assessment records of Ayush hospitals be made accessible.

There’s no one-size-fits-all in healthcare. The vast population needs quality care. There’s a reason for entrance exams and screenings. When you ignore that for short-term reasons, everyone suffers. I wrote this in 2018 and even in 2020 this continues. You need to be aware.

Read the IMA letter dated 24.11.2018 about Khichadification of medicine and you will understand.

Further reading:

Legal aspects of allopathic hospitals employing Ayush practitioners

Bridge course Ayush Doctors (Would you like to get treated? )part 1

Bridge Course Ayush Doctors or Ayush Doctors? (Part 2) #NMCBill

National Medical Council Bill

World’s largest Health Care programme

Universal Health Care