Aurangabad, Dec 13:
Ayurveda doctors have recently been allowed to perform 58 different surgeries. Ayurveda doctors are happy that this decision will make surgery possible at a lower rate, especially in rural areas. But allopathic doctors have expressed displeasure over the decision, saying it could endanger the health of patients with complications from surgery by untrained doctors.
The Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) has issued a gazette notification on November 20 allowing Ayurveda postgraduates to perform a variety of surgeries including general surgery, urology, surgical gastroenterology, ENT, ophthalmology and dentistry. The decision has been opposed by allopathy doctors in various ways over the past month. However, the decision is being welcomed by Ayurveda doctors.
Decision welcomed by Ayurvedic doctors
The number of doctors performing surgery is less. So the new decision will benefit patients. There are more Ayurveda doctors in rural areas. This will bring down the cost of surgery for patients. There will be good health facilities in the villages.
-Ayurveda Dr G S Kulkarni, state president, National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA).
The duration of MBBS and BAMS courses is the same. There are 90 per cent Ayurveda doctors working on 108 ambulances. The new decision will make surgery less expensive. Patients will not have to come to the city for surgery from villages.
-Ayurveda Dr Shivkumar Gore, Nima, district president
Allopathy doctors do not go to rural areas. There are only Ayurveda doctors. Therefore, giving permission to Ayurveda doctors for surgery is a big decision in terms of access to health facilities in rural areas.
-Ayurveda Dr Ganesh Wagh
Allopathy doctors oppose the decision
The decision is not being opposed just because competition among doctors will increase. It is the loss of society. Patients will not receive proper treatment. Cheaper treatments will cost more in the long run. It should not be like education in Ayurveda and giving treatment of allopathy.
- Allopathy Dr Anant Kulkarni
Ayurveda doctors can perform surgery only after training by allopathy doctors. Allopathy doctors take many years of education. Without training and education, surgery can be dangerous. Complications may increase.
- Allopathy Dr Amit Kothari
The education of both the branches is different. Patients in rural areas are less educated, uneducated. So they don''t have much information about the doctor and his degree. This will be a real loss to patients in rural areas.
- Allopathy Dr Faujia Siddiqui
The advantage of the new law
Due to the low number of doctors in rural areas, patients have to travel to the city for minor surgeries. The new law will enable surgery in rural areas and at a low price. Plus, patients time and money spent on travelling will be saved. It can help save a patient''s life.
The loss of the new law
Surgery by a doctor who doesn''t have practice in surgery can lead to complications and endanger the patient''s life. The possibility of a perfect surgery is being questioned. In such cases, it is being speculated that Ayurveda doctors may refer patients to allopathic doctors at the last minutes.