New MBBS syllabus offers Ayush as an option for aspiring doctors

NEWDELHI: Undergraduate medical students will be given the option of choosing Ayush (ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homoeopathy) systems as an elective subject from the 2019-20 academic year, a top functionary of the board of governors that oversees medical colleges said. The initiative is aimed at introducing future doctors to alternative systems of medicine,

The government had in September 2018 dissolved the Medical Council of India and constituted the board of governors (BOG) to supersede the medical regulator. The new syllabus received final approval from the BOG last month and will be implemented from August, when the new academic session (2019-20) begins. The 3-month module will be designed by Ayush ministry.

“It is to give a hang of the alternative systems of medicine to the students of allopathy. Ayush systems can play a great role in promoting preventive health. However, it will not be mandatory for medical students,” said Dr V K Paul, chairman, BOG. “The students will get to visit Ayush hospitals, attend outpatient departments (OPDS), etc,” he added.

Those who don’t want Ayush systems can choose from other clinical subjects, such as ear nose throat (ENT), surgery, psychiatry, and community medicine.

“Since it is not a specialisation course, the curriculum is being designed so students get a sense of what the Ayush systems are. It will be more of an introductory course that Ayush ministry is designing for the MCI BOG,” said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, secretary, Ayush ministry. The undergraduate medical syllabus was heavy on theory, especially in anatomy, pathology and physiology, according to experts. The new MBBS syllabus focuses more on skill-based and hands-on training.