THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the Centre proposing legislation to control the Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM), Ayurveda doctors have raised apprehensions over dissolving the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM), which they say would lead to autocracy of the government.
They also say induction of non-qualified persons in the envisaged National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine (NCISM) is against the WHO Health Policy. In its recommendations on the proposed National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine Bill, 2017, the Ayurveda Medical Association of India (AMAI) - a body of Ayurveda doctors in the state - says the Bill does not consider the responsibilities of governments and universities.
As per the Bill, those are to be suggested as members in NCISM are mostly non-professionals. So, NCISM would only be an ornamental body of persons not competent to look into the technicalities of each system, the Association says in its representation to NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya.
The Bill also is not clear on how the selection from the states to the Commission will be made. While the state representative is specified as Vice-Chancellor, the Association says most of the Vice-Chancellors, except for four Ayurveda universities of some states, are not from AYUSH systems. "As such, we can’t expect more expertise from this body. The proposed set-up is professionally weaker than the existing body,’’ it says.
The AMAI has reservations on the flexible nature proposed on the practice of Indian Systems of Medicine. With the new Bill, the Commission reserves the right to give permission to practise Indian medicine to any person as and when required. The AMAI says this would cause serious damage to the health care delivery system. Noting the punishment prescribed in the Bill is inadequate to prevent quackery, the Association seeks stringent punishment with imprisonment and huge fine for persons not abiding by the law.
With regard to constituting a Board for Ayurveda, Siddha and Sowa- Rigpa, the AMAI demands a separate section for Ayurveda to get balanced representation for it compared to the other systems in NCISM. The Association also wants advisory bodies of these boards to be constituted as per the present CCIM.
On the Medical Assessment and Rating Board, the Association expresses strong disapproval over engaging external rating agencies.Noting it will only open channels for corruption, the AMAI suggests a credible technical panel for assessment.