IMA opposes unscientific integration of medical systems

T'puram: Indian Medical Association (IMA) has stated that it will not, under any circumstances, allow the central govt's attempt to create a hybrid medical system by unscientifically integrating different branches of medicine.

IMA criticized the "irresponsible statement" made by the Union minister for Ayush in Puducherry, suggesting that India's premier medical education and treatment centres, like JIPMER, would become experimental labs for hybrid medicine.

IMA state president Dr K A Sreevilasan said there was no doubt the country can progress only when it operates based on scientific principles, embracing advancements in science and technology.

The progress our country made in fields like space, communication and defence is solely due to operating on a scientific foundation. It is highly deplorable that only in health sector, which deals with people's lives and health, unscientific principles from centuries ago are being imposed.

The international community has already recognised that modern medicine is the sole reliance for achieving sustainable development goals in health sector by 2030.

Even during the time when Covid pandemic posed the greatest threat to our country, it was modern medicine that worked here, sacrificing lives to overcome it, he said.

All the achievements in health indicators such as life expectancy, infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate are solely attributed to modern medicine.

The history of countries like China, among others, shows that attempts to integrate traditional branches of medicine failed, said IMA state secretary Dr Sasidharan K.

It is noteworthy that in all countries with high health standards, only a single method of treatment is accepted. The IMA has urged Centre to take the initiative to create a progressive and robust health sector by allocating more funds in the budget for public health, strengthening primary healthcare and establishing the Indian Medical Service to ensure doctors are available everywhere.