In their efforts to incorporate the Indian systems of medicine to the NCHRH Bill, the Ayurveda doctors community and practitioners of  other Indian system of medicines in the country have received support from an unexpected quarters. In their support, the private allopathic doctors and hospital managements’ association, QPMPA, has also urged the union health ministry and the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on health & family welfare to incorporate the Indian systems to the NCHRH Bill.

The Qualified Private Medical Practitioners Association (QPMPA), after gathering signatures from all of its members, submitted a memorandum to the authorities asking them to review their decision. The allopathic doctors argue that there is no need of a separate Commission/Council for the ISM sector. According to them, all disciplines of health services should be under one umbrella. Regarding research and development in the field of medical or health education, the new bill does not give any direction or idea, the association observed.

Speaking to Pharmabiz, QPMPA secretary Dr Kishore Kumar said the NCHRH Bill does not give a clear picture about how to enhance and promote the standard of education in the health sector. It also fails to facilitate the growth of adequate human resources to the services of hundred crore plus Indian population. While framing the bill the policy makers have forgotten the importance of academic excellence. He said without the association of Indian systems, it is not possible to manage the health needs of the rural India.

As a suggestion to the policy makers of India, Dr Kishore Kumar said for promoting national education on health, the government must conduct a national common admission test and MBBS be made as the minimum qualification to treat a sick person, except dentistry.  The MBBS degree holders can specialize in various segments of alternative medicines and follow that line. He pointed out that since the minimum qualification is MBBS, nobody will question or raise suspicion over the methods of treatment and the dignity of the practitioners could be maintained. He alleged that the present NCHRH bill was following the lines of imperial rulers of British colonialism and the Union government should immediately intervene in the matter.

Further, QPMPA suggested that the university concept itself has to be changed provided a national body to control the medical education is realized. All the councils and universities are just to satisfy a group of academicians and politicians. To strengthen the medical education, all the courses should be conducted by respective colleges and those pass out can register with the national body to practice their discipline. It is suggested that NCHRH bill should specifically contain a national common agenda for health education and human resources irrespective of western or Indian systems.

The QPMPA will gather suggestions from doctors of all the states and union territories in support of its decisions and suggestions.

The Confederation of Ayush community in Kerala had earlier submitted a memorandum to the union government requesting inclusion of ISM in the Bill.