Question : Conflict between Modern Medicine and AYUSH Systems

Will the Minister of AYURVEDA, YOGA AND NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that there exists a conflict between modern medicine and AYUSH systems with regard to efficacy of medicines, treatments and procedures and also there is huge status gap between the two which is detrimental to AYUSH resources;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has any plan to introduce a framework to integrate the modern and traditional systems so as to facilitate a meaningful, cross learning and collaboration between two systems; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a): No conflict exists between modern medicine and AYUSH systems with regard to efficacy of medicines, treatments and procedures.
(b): Does not arise.
(c) & (d): Yes, the Ministry of AYUSH is taking various initiatives to integrate the modern and traditional systems so as to facilitate a meaningful, cross learning and collaboration between two systems. The highlights of such initiatives have been the following:-
i. Ministry of AYUSH under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) co-locates AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs), thus enabling choice to the patients for different systems of medicine under single window. The engagement of AYUSH Doctors/paramedics and their training are supported by the Department of Health & Family Welfare, while the support for AYUSH infrastructure, equipment/ furniture and medicines are provided by Ministry of AYUSH under shared responsibilities.

ii. Three Research Councils of the Ministry of AYUSH namely Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences(CCRAS), Central Council of Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) and Central Council for Research in Unani Medicines (CCRUM) have jointly taken up a project on National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer Diabetes Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) through integration of Allopathy and AYUSH system on pilot basis in different districts in collaboration with Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

iii. CCRH has co-location of homoeopathy treatment centre in allopathic hospitals for providing treatment on various clinical conditions at the following places:
a. Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.
b. Lady Hardinge Medical College & Hospital, New Delhi.
c. Delhi Cantonment General Hospital, New Delhi.
d. Delhi State Cancer Hospital, New Delhi.
e. Clinical trial Unit, at BRD Medical College and Hospital, Gorakhpur, U.P.
f. Extension centre at Princess Durru Sevar Children and General Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana.
g. Civil Hospital, Aizwal, Mizoram
h. District hospital, Dimapur, Nagaland

iv. CCRUM is providing healthcare facilities through re-location centres at Dr. RML Hospital, Dr. DDU Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital with a view to provide Unani treatment facility available under one roof.

v. Section 50 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 provides for joint sitting of the Commission, the Central Council of Homoeopathy and the Central Council of Indian Medicine at least once a year, as such time and place as they mutually appoint, to enhance the interface between Homoeopathy, Indian Systems of Medicine and modern system of medicine and may decide on approving specific educational modules or programmes that may be introduced in the undergraduate course and the post graduate course across medical systems and promote the medical pluralism.

Similar provisions have been proposed in National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCIM) Bill, 2019 and National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) Bill, 2019.