|
‘Mixopathy’ row flares up as AMMOI urges health minister to safeguard professional rights of ayurvedic surgeons
|
|
Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
January 15 , 2026
|
|
|
In a significant escalation of the ongoing ‘Mixopathy’ debate, the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI) has urged Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda to safeguard the professional rights of ayurvedic surgeons.
This move, led by AMMOI general secretary Dr D Ramanathan, comes as a direct rebuttal to a controversial press release issued by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on December 25, 2025, which expressed grave concerns regarding the involvement of Ayurveda physicians in surgical procedures. AMMOI’s intervention seeks to provide a statutory and academic defence for practitioners who are increasingly under fire from the allopathic community.
The IMA’s circular, which triggered the current standoff, characterizes the practice of surgery by ayurvedic doctors as a risk to patient safety. The association has historically argued that surgical competence is a complex discipline requiring intensive training in human anatomy, modern anaesthesia, and perioperative care, standards they claim are exclusive to the allopathic curricula. The IMA has consistently labelled these integrative policies as ‘Mixopathy’, warning that such a move would compromise the safety of the healthcare system.
Countering these allegations, Dr. Ramanathan’s letter highlights that ayurvedic medical graduates receive ‘structured, regulated, and modern surgical training’ as part of the NCISM-prescribed BAMS curriculum. The organization emphasizes that Shalya Tantra (general surgery), Shalakya Tantra (ENT/ophthalmology), and Prasuti Tantra (obstetrics) are not mere traditional labels but involve rigorous undergraduate education that forms a legally valid foundation for surgical specialization. According to AMMOI, any assertion that Ayurveda graduates are untrained in surgery is factually incorrect and syllabus-contradicted.
AMMOI further argues that postgraduate ayurvedic surgeons are the products of a legally sanctioned training pathway. The letter points out that the curriculum formally incorporates contemporary medical standards, including regional and general anaesthesia, endotracheal intubation, and modern diagnostics like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. By highlighting these statutory benchmarks, AMMOI asserts that ayurvedic surgical practice is not just academically justified but is also educationally structured to meet modern standards.
The organization expressed deep concern over what it perceives as an attempt to view healthcare systems in isolation rather than fostering mutual respect. Dr Ramanathan noted in his letter that constructive engagement between medical systems, guided by regulatory standards and clinical evidence, is essential for strengthening India’s healthcare system. The letter urges the government to take a proactive role in clarifying the competencies of Ayurveda physicians to prevent further public confusion.
Adding weight to their argument, the organisation of ayurvedic drug manufacturers and physicians reminded the ministry that ayurvedic surgeons have demonstrated long-standing excellence in managing specific conditions such as haemorrhoids, fistula-in-ano, and pilonidal sinus. They contend that denying these practitioners the right to deliver services after completing relevant postgraduate qualifications renders the training toothless and unfairly restricts access to cost-effective healthcare. AMMOI maintains that procedures like Ksharasutra therapy often yield outcomes comparable to, or exceeding, contemporary surgical approaches.
The controversy is currently heightened by the ideological divide between the two medical bodies regarding the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) mandates. AMMOI contends that while the IMA expresses apprehension, the existing NCISM curriculum carries legal force and is binding on all institutions. They argue that the IMA's opposition is an attempt to bypass established medical regulations and ignore the vertical academic integration standard in medical education.
Finally, the organisation has requested the union health minister to ensure that Ayurveda's contributions are appropriately recognized in public interest. They maintain that a clear policy stance is required to ensure that the surgical training imparted to thousands of students is not delegitimized by professional rivalry. As the ‘Mixopathy’ debate continues to simmer, the Centre's response to this detailed policy note will be crucial in determining the future of integrative medicine in the country.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOPICS
|
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, has issued a public advisory urging citizens to report any misleadi ...
|
|
|
|
|