Doctors to cease work today due to ayurvedic practitioners to perform surgeries

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Normal medical services in government as well as private hospitals in the State will be disrupted on Friday due to the nationwide cease work stir by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) against the Centre's move allowing the ayurvedic practitioners to perform surgeries.

The Centre recently decided to allow the postgraduate degree holders of Ayurveda to perform a variety of procedures including general surgery, orthopaedic, ophthalmology, ENT and dental procedures and surgeries.

In its latest gazette notification, the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) has allowed Ayurvedic PG pass-outs to receive formal training for such surgical procedures. The development indicates the growing emphasis on traditional medicine of the present regime at the Centre.

Extending support to the nationwide protests the IMA, Assam State Branch has urged all its members, doctors from both government and private hospitals to cease work from6 am to 6 pm on Friday. During the cease work period, barring emergency and COVID treatment all other non-essential services at the public and private hospitals will remain suspended across the State.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Dr Satyajit Borah, State president of IMA said that the latest circular of the CCIM paving the way for allowing Ayurvedic post-graduate doctors to practice various surgeries which are otherwise carried out by well-trained surgeons under the modern medical system has terrified all conscious people concerned about public health.

"The IMA has demanded immediate withdrawal of the notification. The amendment regulations of Postgraduate Ayurveda Education in which the Post Graduate course namely MS Shalya Tantra (General Surgery) have been incorporated and the PG students are allowed to get trained and independently practice a long list of surgical procedures. The competency of such surgical skills squarely falls under the ambit, authority and jurisdiction of modern medicine prescribed by the Medical Council of India," said Dr Borah.

The Assam Medical Service Association (AMSA) has also extended support to the strike. AMSA president, Dr Noni Gopal Saharia said that faculties of medical colleges will also resort to the strike.

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