[Plea to integrate Allopathy, Ayurveda] Can't compromise on standards of medical practitioners: Central government to Delhi High Court

Right to practise any profession under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution is subject to laws relating to regulatory measure and professional conduct and there can be no compromise on professional standards of medical practitioners, the Centre government has told the Delhi High Court [Ashwini Upadhyay v Union of India & Ors]..“… the regulatory measures on the exercise of this right, both with regard to standard of professional qualification and professional conduct have been applied keeping in view not only the right of the medical practitioners but also the right to life and proper health care of persons who need medical car and treatment; there can be no compromise on professional standards of medical practitioners,” Centre said. .The government’s response came on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition by BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay seeking integration of Allopathy, Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani and other forms of medicine systems and a common syllabus for all medical colleges.Upadhyay has prayed for the adoption of an “Indian holistic integrated medicinal approach” rather than the colonial “segregated way of medicine” as currently practised in India..While the affidavit did not take a stand on whether the government favours integration of the different systems of medicines and common syllabus for them, it said that there are different Acts dealing with the allopathy, Indian system of medicines and Homeopathy.It said that institutionally qualified practitioners of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani Tibb and Homeopathy are eligible to practise respective systems including Surgery and Gynaecology obstetrics, Anaesthesiology, ENT, ophthalmology based on their training and teaching..The government further said that NITI Aayog’s health and family welfare division has constituted a committee on formulation of Integrative Health Policy to examine and submit its report on the “framework of comprehensive integrative health policy to achieve an inclusive, affordable, evidence-based healthcare”.The committee will also make recommendations for effective implementation of integrative healthcare through education, research and clinical practice and will propose a road-map for disease prevention and health promotion in national programs based on modern traditional integrative approach, the government has said..The petition was heard by the bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad on Thursday.However, as the government's response was not on the record, the Court adjourned the hearing to November 11.Meanwhile, Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Research Institute also moved an application supporting Upadhyay's PIL.The Court asked Patnjali to bring its application for intervention on record in a week.