The Kerala government’s dream project of co-locating allopathy and Ayush health services at one centre for the benefit of the ailing masses is likely to be held off due to the stiff objection against the move by the state branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), it is learnt.

In its proposals submitted for framing the state health policy 2013, the IMA states that integration of various systems cannot be permitted in the allopathic healthcare centres, and each system should be provided separate arena to develop on its own ways. The Kerala chapter of IMA also demanded to the government that the attempt to provide services of modern and traditional systems under one roof should be nipped in the bud.

Speaking to Pharmabiz over phone, Kerala IMA secretary Dr AV Jayakrishnan said the Kerala model of healthcare management is parallel to the European system which is scientifically very advanced. Compared to other states in India, Kerala has good infrastructure facilities and manpower for both the systems. Whereas, in most of the north Indian states the infrastructure facilities are lacking, so both the systems are brought under one roof for their convenience. The situation in Kerala is different, hence no need to co-locate Ayush and allopathic facilities at one place.

After analysing the draft health policy released by the government, Dr Jayakrishnan said IMA disputes the claim on the role of alternative medicines in curative services and such posturing without back up of any methodical study will be detrimental to public health. “Modern system is scientifically proven and in Kerala we are following the advanced method of treatments in allopathy. If the co-location is implemented the patients coming to the health centre are likely to shift from one system to other occasionally which may cause death or serious illness. So, each system should be developed independently and the concept of integration is impracticable,” Dr Jayakrishnan told Pharmabiz.

He said the fund allotted under NRHM for allopathic health services should not be spent for developing Ayush system. If two methods of treatments are located at one health centre, there is chance for clash of services and  mismanagement of developmental funds.

Meanwhile, coming down heavily on the big-brother attitude of the IMA, general secretary of the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI) and former member of Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM), Dr D Ramanathan said the Kerala IMA’s attitude is not people-friendly. He said they are blindly opposing the traditional healing system of the country and also moving against the policy of the government. According to him, Kerala finance minister in his budget speech in this year had obviously said that government was planning to integrate allopathy, Ayurveda and Homoeopathy systems of medicine at the primary level and design it as holistic clinics on pilot basis. He further said his association will mobilize the support of all the stakeholders of Ayush system and approach the government with a request to implement the scheme.

AMMOI has brought the issue to the attention of all the MLAs in the state and was informed that they would raise it in the ongoing Assembly session, said the secretary of the organisation.