Minister, MLC lock horns over medical practice

Politicians of same party rarely disagree with each other in public. But, here is an exception when MLC G Madhusudhan raised objection publicly Medical Education and District In-Charge Minister S A Ramdas’ statement on barring ayurvedic doctors from practising modern medicine.

It occurred at a function to lay foundation for a 100-bedded Government Naturopathy Hospital and Ayurvedic Research Centre opposite PKTB Sanitorium on KRS road, here on Wednesday.

During his speech, Ramdas asked students and faculty members, “Those who want to practise both ayurveda and modern medicine raise your hand.” A few voices in the audience wanted to practise both but didn’t raise their hands.

At this point, Madhusudhan came to their rescue and said, “I support and raise my hand for those who want to practise both ayurveda and modern medicine,” to receive a thunderous applause from the crowd.

Irked Ramdas

An irked Ramdas vehemently lashed out at ayurvedic doctors for failing to have faith in their medicines. Even though the minister noted that ayurveda wasn’t treated on par with modern medicine in terms of allotment of funds, he expressed his displeasure at the lack of research being carried out.

“Even though you (ayurvedic doctors) keep complaining that you are not being given facilities, what have you done to bring the faith in people about ayurveda?” he questioned.

Continuing he asked, “Why is there no ayurvedic nursing school or college? How many have research papers have you published at the international level?”

Clarifying the reason for their demand, the MLC said that those who finish MBBS were not willing to go to villages to serve as doctors.

“For a villager, he doesn’t care if it  is ayurveda or allopathy. He only wants to be treated and cured quickly. At times, allopathy offers a faster cure, so why shouldn’t they (ayurvedic doctors) be allowed to practise it?” he asked.

Pharma lobbies slammed

Continuing, he slammed the pharmaceutical lobby and said that the Indian Medical Association was treating ayurveda practitioners as quacks.

At the end of the open discussion, Ramdas prevailed and said, “As long as I am Medical Education Minister I would not allow ayurvedic doctors to practise modern medicine.”