The Ayurveda Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI) has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to reduce the amount of modern medical science included in the syllabus of Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (BAMS) course. At present, 65 per cent of the syllabus of BAMS comprises chapters of modern system of medicine (allopathy).
According to AMMOI, a few months ago when the prime minister paid a visit to Kerala, he was personally apprised of the matter. The Association informed the prime minister that the amount of portions of Ayurveda science in the syllabus of the BAMS course is much less than the amount of modern medical science included in the syllabus.
The mater was taken up seriously by the prime minister’s office (PMO) and necessary action is being implemented, according to information from the PMO.
Declaring that they are not against teaching or learning chapters of modern medicine, AMMOI has wanted the prime minister to look into the matter seriously by considering the comprehensiveness of the Ayurveda syllabus. According to the association, 65 per cent of the syllabus of BAMS comprises chapters of modern system.
Dr D Ramanathan, secretary of AMMOI, who brought this issue to the attention of the prime minister, said the amount of Ayurveda science is only 35 per cent, which has now been reduced further after the revision of the syllabus. He said since Kerala is considered as the nucleus of Ayurveda system, dilution of syllabus cannot be acknowledged.
With a positive approach towards the request, the prime minister’s office has forwarded the same to the Ayush ministry for immediate action. The subject matter is under discussion in the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) which handles academic matters under Ayush ministry.
Among other issues, AMMOI wanted the prime minister to take steps to increase the amount of Sanskrit in the syllabus of Ayurveda courses as it is vital to have a good knowledge of Sanskrit to understand the principles of Ayurveda and the philosophy behind it.