Council’s Empowerment of Ayurveda Surgeons: A Toothless Act.

Abstract

In the past, surgery in ayurveda is limited to Anorectal surgery and minor wound care. Nowadays, Ayurveda surgeons are performing extensive surgeries related to the anorectal area, ophthalmic surgery, moderate-level abdominal surgeries, etc. Permission was granted to Ayurveda Surgeons to perform surgery as per the notification issued by Central Council of Indian Medicine, New Delhi, 19th November 2020. Ayurvedic surgeons have been performing minor and medium level surgeries in reputed institutions for decades safely and effectively. There are several documented case studies and peer-reviewed research which shows the successful surgical outcomes by Ayurvedic surgeons. The MS (Sajnaharana-Anaesthesia) are not legally permitted to practice modern anesthesia because of legal hurdles. The surgeon who has completed 3 years and got degree if not empowered to deliver his service, then what is the use of such degree? The Ayurvedic surgeons are fearing to do all the 53 surgeries permitted by council at private practice because of fear of IMA threat or dependency on modern anesthetists. In the future there is a great demand for surgeries in sub-urban and rural areas. So there is a need for collaborative care models where AYUSH doctors work alongside the allopathic team, especially in Rural areas. The council and AYUSH should increase the list of permitted surgeries and enhance the empowerment of Ayurveda surgeons and legally permit them to do local anesthesia after getting fellowship or short-term certificate course. I urge the Ayurveda surgeons and Shalya association to fight for legal empowerment of the Ayurveda surgeons across India for effective healthcare delivery.